NEW DELHI: The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has arrived in Russia for discussions on nuclear safety in Ukraine. The visit comes as Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine faces risks due to ongoing fighting.
Grossi arrived in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday evening, following the announcement of his trip during a meeting of the IAEA’s board of governors in Vienna.
During his visit, Grossi is scheduled to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Earlier this year, Grossi visited Ukraine and the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to assess the potential for a nuclear disaster amidst the conflict.
He also met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Grossi emphasised the importance of maintaining dialogue with both sides and raised concerns about the fragile state of the Zaporizhzhia plant.
In Moscow, he intends to discuss technical issues related to the plant’s operational status and safety evaluation. The IAEA has repeatedly expressed alarm about the facility, which has been caught in the crossfire since Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.
The plant’s reactors have been shut down, but it requires power and qualified staff to operate crucial safety systems. Despite relying on emergency diesel generators, the plant continues to face challenges related to staffing and power supply.
The situation remains delicate, and Grossi’s visit aims to address these concerns and find ways to mitigate the risk of a potential nuclear catastrophe.
(With agency inputs)