BERLIN, March 3. /TASS/. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue consultations with Russia on issues of nuclear safety and security at the Zaporozye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said.
"As the armed conflict in Ukraine enters its fourth year, the nuclear safety and security situation throughout the country continues to be highly precarious. The presence of the IAEA at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities has been and continues to be an invaluable asset to the international community and must be preserved," he said as quoted by the agency’s press service.
"Consultations with Moscow have also taken place and will continue, in the interest of nuclear safety and security at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant," he said adding that "the status of the off-site power supply remains extremely vulnerable."
Earlier, Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom said that a rotation of IAEA experts at the ZNPP had taken place. For the first time, IAEA inspectors reached the plant across Russia’s territory.
The IAEA inspectors are tasked to assess nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP, where they have been present since September 1, 2022, after Grossi’s first visit to the facility. Their presence at the ZNPP is helping prevent Ukraine’s shelling attacks.
A regular rotation of IAEA experts was to take place a month ago but was postponed two times amid the provocative actions by Ukrainian troops, Rosatom said. Intense consultations were held throughout February to find a solution to ensure a safe rotation of IAEA inspectors.