The director of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company, Rafael Grossi, held talks in Moscow Thursday with the top of Russia’s state nuclear vitality firm, Rosatom.
“The dialogue targeted on points associated to making sure nuclear and bodily nuclear security of the Zaporizhzhia (nuclear energy plant),” in accordance with a Rosatom assertion.
The top of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, “knowledgeable the IAEA Director Common concerning the steps that the Russian facet is taking on this space, in addition to about measures aimed toward guaranteeing comfy social and dwelling circumstances for staff of the plant and members of their households,” in accordance with the assertion.
“As well as, problems with present and future cooperation between Russia and the IAEA in different areas had been touched upon. The events confirmed the settlement to proceed contacts,” the assertion added.
Some context: Zaporizhzhia, with its six reactors, is the biggest nuclear energy station in Europe.
The IAEA serves because the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog company and has repeatedly raised issues about the specter of a nuclear accident on the Zaporizhzhia plant since Russia invaded Ukraine final yr and seized control of the facility.
Grossi has assured Ukraine the IAEA won’t ever acknowledge Russia because the proprietor of the Zaporizhzhia plant, in accordance with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Grossi additionally pledged a continuous presence of the IAEA in any respect of Ukraine’s nuclear vegetation.
What Ukraine is saying: Shmyhal has demanded management of the Zaporizhzhia facility be returned to Ukrainian authorities, plus a “full withdrawal” of Russian troops and Rosatom personnel from the plant.
Final fall, as Moscow’s forces had been tightening their grip on the power, Ukraine’s army alleged that plant staff had been being subjected to “ethical and psychological strain.” Some had been pressured to acquire Russian passports and signal employment contracts with Rosatom, in accordance with Ukraine.
CNN’s Yulia Kesaieva and Lauren Kent contributed to this report.
