MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Russia is not creating any obstacles for the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Wednesday.

"There are and can be no obstacles created by Russia. The continuation of the IAEA mission is fully in line with the interests of Russia, the agency and the entire international community," the statement reads.

Zakharova pointed out that between February 7 and 18, the United Nations Department for Safety and Security had on three separate occasions sabotaged the rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporozhye facility without providing any clear explanations, despite Russia’s readiness to ensure the safe movement of IAEA employees. "New dates were set two to three days in advance, though ensuring the safe arrival of international experts required considerable time for us to make comprehensive preparations. No information clarifying the reasons for changes in the mission’s route was provided," the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman noted.

The diplomat noted that the Russian Defense Ministry had sent a note to the UN department, expressing a lack of understanding of the department’s position and reaffirming its readiness to ensure a safe rotation within two to three days after February 25, provided that the convoy passed through the Vasilyevka check point, which was the safest route and continued to operate normally. "If a rotation of IAEA experts is not performed this time, we will assume that the UN Department for Safety and Security deliberately seeks to obstruct the work of the agency’s mission at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. This plays into the Kiev regime’s hands, as evidenced by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s provocative statement dated February 19, 2023, which claimed that it was Russia that allegedly was blocking the rotation process," the statement added.

An IAEA mission led by Director General Rafael Grossi visited the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in early September 2022, and two of its members remained at the site as observers. The IAEA later published a report calling for the creation of a safety zone around the plant to prevent any calamities from occurring in connection with ongoing military activities. Grossi has been in talks on the initiative with Russia and Ukraine.