IAEA chief warns Ukrainian foreign minister of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant risks
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (photo: x.com/andrii_sybiha)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi, with the main topic being the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which remains in a state of blackout, Sybiha reported.
"I had a meeting with Rafael Grossi about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP and Russia's terrorist actions. Director General provided an update on current critical threats to nuclear safety at the plant," Sybiha said.
He emphasized that Russia has effectively stolen the Ukrainian nuclear plant and now seeks to forcibly connect it to its own energy system despite the growing risk of a nuclear incident. Sybiha and Grossi agreed that the world cannot allow this to happen.
"We believe the temporary IAEA stewardship mechanism over the Zaporizhzhia NPP is the only realistic option left in the short term," the minister added.
He also stressed that, ultimately, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant must be returned to Ukrainian control as soon as possible.
Sixth day of blackout at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
On September 23, it was reported that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant had experienced its tenth blackout since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
As a result, the plant is receiving electricity only from diesel generators.
Oleh Korikov, the head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine and chief state inspector for nuclear and radiation safety, stated that such a situation could lead to the worst-case scenario.
