International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday following discussions with energy officials regarding safety at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
The Kremlin released introductory remarks by Putin and Grossi at the meeting held in Sochi, located in southern Russia, but provided no details of the subsequent closed-door discussions.
Putin informed Grossi of his readiness to address “particularly sensitive and significant issues on the agenda... and to take all necessary measures to ensure security in any location where nuclear energy is involved,” according to the Kremlin.
Russian forces seized Europe’s largest nuclear power plant during their 2022 invasion of Ukraine and have maintained control since. Grossi is scheduled to meet with Putin in Sochi later on Wednesday.
Zaporizhzhia is situated close to the front lines in a region of southern Ukraine which Moscow claims to have annexed. Although all six of its reactors are currently inactive, the plant requires continuous power and a water supply to maintain cooling and avert a potential catastrophic meltdown.
The facility sustained damage from a fire when it was seized in March 2022, and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian troops persist in the vicinity, with both sides accusing each other of shelling around the station. The IAEA has been endeavoring to establish a safety mechanism to prevent accidents.
Agenda of talks
According to the RIA news agency, Grossi engaged in discussions with Rosatom, where safety at Zaporizhzhia was the primary focus. Additionally, he held talks with the Russian defense and foreign ministries.
RIA reported that Grossi characterized the discussions as “tense,” without providing further details. However, an IAEA spokesperson refuted claims that Grossi had described the talks as tense.
Zaporizhzhia has experienced eight instances of disconnection from its external power lines over the past 18 months, necessitating reliance on diesel generators for critical functions such as reactor fuel cooling.
Although one of its primary power lines is presently operational, the IAEA has indicated that the situation at the plant remains precarious.
According to the IAEA, one of the plant’s six reactors must be maintained in a hot shutdown mode to generate steam required for nuclear safety, including the processing of liquid radioactive waste stored in tanks.
Ukraine expressed concerns last year regarding the plant potentially facing a water shortage required for cooling, following the destruction of a nearby dam, resulting in a decrease in the reservoir’s water level.
Grossi conducted an inspection of wells last month to ascertain if there was an adequate water supply for cooling and welcomed a reduction in shelling around the site. Russian news agency TASS reported that Grossi concluded the water supply was adequate.
Putin informed Grossi of his readiness to address “particularly sensitive and significant issues on the agenda... and to take all necessary measures to ensure security in any location where nuclear energy is involved,” according to the Kremlin.
Accompanying Putin, Grossi also met with the head of the state nuclear power company Rosatom, Alexei Likhachev.Important exchange with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in Sochi, on the nuclear safety and security of #ZNPP and other non-proliferation global challenges. pic.twitter.com/1eHEVks1iq
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) March 6, 2024
Russian forces seized Europe’s largest nuclear power plant during their 2022 invasion of Ukraine and have maintained control since. Grossi is scheduled to meet with Putin in Sochi later on Wednesday.
Zaporizhzhia is situated close to the front lines in a region of southern Ukraine which Moscow claims to have annexed. Although all six of its reactors are currently inactive, the plant requires continuous power and a water supply to maintain cooling and avert a potential catastrophic meltdown.
The facility sustained damage from a fire when it was seized in March 2022, and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian troops persist in the vicinity, with both sides accusing each other of shelling around the station. The IAEA has been endeavoring to establish a safety mechanism to prevent accidents.
Agenda of talks
According to the RIA news agency, Grossi engaged in discussions with Rosatom, where safety at Zaporizhzhia was the primary focus. Additionally, he held talks with the Russian defense and foreign ministries.
RIA reported that Grossi characterized the discussions as “tense,” without providing further details. However, an IAEA spokesperson refuted claims that Grossi had described the talks as tense.
Zaporizhzhia has experienced eight instances of disconnection from its external power lines over the past 18 months, necessitating reliance on diesel generators for critical functions such as reactor fuel cooling.
Although one of its primary power lines is presently operational, the IAEA has indicated that the situation at the plant remains precarious.
According to the IAEA, one of the plant’s six reactors must be maintained in a hot shutdown mode to generate steam required for nuclear safety, including the processing of liquid radioactive waste stored in tanks.
Ukraine expressed concerns last year regarding the plant potentially facing a water shortage required for cooling, following the destruction of a nearby dam, resulting in a decrease in the reservoir’s water level.
Grossi conducted an inspection of wells last month to ascertain if there was an adequate water supply for cooling and welcomed a reduction in shelling around the site. Russian news agency TASS reported that Grossi concluded the water supply was adequate.
Source: Reuters
More In Politics MORE...
