IAEA head optimistic for safety zone around ZNPP
Zaporizhzhya NPP (Photo:REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)
Following a visit to Moscow, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Raphael Grossi, expressed hope for the creation of a safety zone around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), IAEA said in a message on its website on Feb. 10.
“This week’s meetings in Moscow were important in this regard, enabling us to discuss the plan in detail with senior representatives of the Russian government,” said Grossi.
“I remain hopeful that the zone will be established, although progress should have been faster. For the sake of nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and beyond, I will continue my efforts until the zone has become a reality.”
He noted that IAEA had to postpone the rotation of its employees at ZNPP to a later date.
“The situation around Europe’s largest nuclear power plant remains volatile and unpredictable, as it is an active combat zone,” he said.
“The postponement of the planned rotation demonstrates all too clearly the need for urgent measures to protect the plant and the people working there.”
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and has been occupied by Russian forces since March 4. Several ZNPP facilities have been damaged by Russian shelling, and the station's employees are captives of the occupying troops.
The IAEA has since established a permanent monitoring presence at the facility.
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