The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, drew a partly positive conclusion after the visit to the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia. Although damage caused by the shelling of the power plant is obvious and unacceptable, important safety elements such as the power supply to the power plant are working, Grossi said this evening after returning from Ukraine at Vienna Airport.
The cooperation between the Russian occupiers and the Ukrainian personnel also works to some extent on a professional level. His greatest concern remains that the nuclear power plant could be severely damaged by further shelling.
“I saw everything I wanted to see”
He expects a detailed analysis of the safety of the power plant by the experts who remain on site over the next week, Grossi said. There are still six IAEA experts at the nuclear power plant. Four would return, two would stay until further notice. He does not have the impression that the Russian occupiers have hidden anything. “We saw everything I wanted to see,” said Grossi. A crucial difference to before is also that he now learns from his own sources what is happening on the spot.
Permanente Mission
The IAEA chief emphasized again that he sees his agency’s mission as permanent. “The IAEA is there to stay as long as necessary.” Ukraine and Russia currently agree to this. He knows things could change. What worries him most at the moment is that the war around the power plant is increasing in intensity, Grossi said.