International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi met in Moscow on Thursday with the head of the Russian state nuclear company Rosatom.
According to Rosatom’s statement, “discussions focused on issues related to ensuring the nuclear and physical nuclear safety of Zaporizhia (Nuclear Power Plant).”
Alexey Likhachev, Director of Rosatom, said, “I would like to inform the Director General of the IAEA about the measures taken by the Russian side in this area and those aimed at ensuring comfortable social and living conditions for factory workers and their families. ,” the statement said.
“Furthermore, the issue of current and future cooperation between Russia and the IAEA in other areas was touched upon. Both parties confirmed that they had agreed to continue contact,” the statement added.
Some context: With six reactors, Zaporizhia is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
The IAEA, which serves as the UN’s nuclear watchdog, has repeatedly expressed concern over the threat of a nuclear accident at the Zaporizhia plant since Russia invaded Ukraine last year. seized control of the facility.
Grossi assured Ukraine that the IAEA would never recognize Russia as the owner of the Zaporizhia plant, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmykhal. Grossi also pledged the IAEA’s continued presence at all Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
What Ukraine says: Shmyhal demanded the return of control of the Zaporizhia facility to the Ukrainian authorities, as well as the “complete withdrawal” of Russian military and Rosatom personnel from the factory.
Last fall, the Ukrainian military claimed workers at the factory were under “moral and psychological pressure” as the Moscow military tightened control over the facility. was forced to obtain a passport and sign an employment contract with Rosatom.
CNN’s Yulia Kesaieva and Lauren Kent contributed to this report.