The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced plans to travel to Moscow for high-level talks with Russian officials regarding nuclear safety in Ukraine. The visit comes amidst ongoing concerns about the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine, which is Europe's largest nuclear facility.
During a press briefing in Vienna, the IAEA Director-General emphasized the fragile nature of the situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant and highlighted the critical importance of ensuring its safety for international peace and security.
The upcoming trip to Moscow is expected to include discussions on technical issues related to the operational status of the plant, which is currently in cold shutdown. The Director-General expressed the need for a comprehensive safety evaluation if the plant is to be restarted, particularly focusing on the external power supply lines, which are described as 'fragile and thin'.
Notably, the IAEA has raised concerns about the Zaporizhzhia facility since the onset of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022. The plant has faced multiple challenges, including power outages and staffing issues, raising fears of a potential nuclear catastrophe.
Previous efforts by the IAEA to engage with both Ukrainian and Russian authorities have aimed at preventing a nuclear disaster and ensuring the safe operation of the Zaporizhzhia plant. The Director-General's visit to Moscow is seen as a continuation of these diplomatic efforts to address the complex nuclear safety issues in the region.
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