Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi at a meeting in Kiev discussed specific steps to avoid safety risks at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, the president’s press service said.
“Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky held a meeting with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, who is visiting our state in fulfillment of the agreements reached during a telephone conversation between the head of state and the head of the IAEA on June 6,” the Ukrainian presidential press service said in a statement Tuesday.
Reportedly, the head of state stressed that as a result of Russia’s purposeful undermining of the Kakhovska HPP dam, which is the largest ecocide crime of modern times, the risks to the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have significantly increased. Therefore, a quick and decisive reaction of the international community to this audacious terrorist act is urgently needed.
Zelenski positively assessed the presence of the agency’s inspectors at the Zaporizhzhia NPP illegally occupied by Russia and welcomed Raphael Grossi’s intention to personally visit the plant to assess the situation on site.
The head of state once again stressed that the only way to prevent a nuclear incident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is its complete demilitarization, de-occupation and restoration of control over the plant by Ukraine.
According to the president’s press service, during the meeting the sides discussed specific steps that need to be taken to minimize risks and prevent incidents at the Zaporizhzhya NPP, as well as ways of cooperation with the IAEA to this end.
Zelenskiy supported Rafael Grossi’s proposal to send a group of IAEA experts to Ukraine to assess the consequences of the explosion at the Kakhovska HPP and to prepare proposals on specific directions of assistance in overcoming them. He noted that this mission would be fully assisted by the Ukrainian institutions involved.
