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March 29 () –
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday after visiting the Zaporizhia nuclear plant that the talks between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the agency, are focusing on a plan with “principles protection basics.
Grossi has indicated that the negotiations have evolved and that now, instead of focusing on “territorial aspects” or on establishing a security zone around the plant”, basic “precepts” or “ideas” of protection that can be accepted by the parties without objection.
“A nuclear plant should not be a military objective and should not have equipment or weapons. This is the agreement,” he said at a press conference, adding that he is “optimistic” and that he is trying to put “viable and realistic ones that can be accepted” by both Ukraine and Russia.
The IAEA director general has thus reiterated that, because there is a “significant increase in troops in the region” and talks about “attacks” and counterattacks” from both sides, it is important to first establish a series of common principles to protect the plant.
In this regard, he stressed that there are talks between the various United Nations security agencies and the military forces of both Russia and Ukraine. “It is very important that we agree that the plant will not be attacked under any circumstances,” he added.
“In general, the situation has not improved. It is evident that military activity is increasing, so any possible measure or precaution should be taken so that the plant is not attacked and is protected,” he concluded.
It is the second time that the organization’s director general -accompanied by a group of experts, the seventh of its kind since the support mission began at the plant–, has visited the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the first since the deployment of the permanent presence of the IAEA, on September 1.
