IAEA chief plans to visit Ukraine and Russia

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said that he plans to visit Ukraine and Russia in the light of the implementation of the five principles for ensuring the safety of the Zaporozhye NPP.

On Tuesday, at a meeting of the UN Security Council, he presented the principles of ensuring the security of ZNPP. In particular, according to him, no attacks should be carried out in the direction of the ZNPP or from it. This includes reactors, spent fuel storage facilities, critical infrastructure and plant personnel. ZNPP should not be used for storage or as a base for heavy weapons (including MLRS, artillery systems, shells, tanks). There should be no military personnel at the station. ZNPP power supply lines must be protected. All structures, systems and components necessary for the safe operation of a nuclear power plant must also be protected from attacks and sabotage. Finally, no action should be taken that undermines the aforementioned principles.

Asked if Grossi plans to visit Ukraine, the IAEA Director General said: “Yes, I do. Hopefully soon. I should ask Ukrainian partners.”

“In view of the new tasks, I plan to go to Kyiv, if they will kindly accept me, as well as to the Zaporizhzhya NPP. I also plan to visit Russia”, he added.

Grossi indicated that IAEA staff would monitor compliance with the principles he proposed. The presence of agency experts at ZNPP is planned to be strengthened.