The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, called on Russia and Ukraine to immediately allow IAEA experts to enter the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which has been occupied by Russian troops since March 4. “I urge both parties to cooperate with the IAEA and allow the mission to the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant as soon as possible,” Grossi said on Thursday, August 11, speaking by videoconference at an emergency meeting of the Security Council of the UN on the situation in the Zaporozhye NPP. “Time is running out”, highlighted the head of the international agency.

The United States asked not to postpone the visit of IAEA inspectors to the ZNPP

The US has also asked that IAEA inspectors have access to the Zaporozhye nuclear plant, which is under constant attack. “This visit can no longer be postponed,” US Deputy Secretary of State for Arms Control Bonnie Jenkins said at the same meeting. Russia must stop all operations near the ZNPP, return Zaporozhye to the Ukrainians and withdraw troops from the neighboring country, stressed Jenkins.

According to her, the United States is aware of the mistreatment of Ukrainian employees at the nuclear plant by the Russian military. “Ukrainian personnel must be able to carry out their important tasks without being pressured by Russian soldiers,” said Bonnie Jenkins.

Just hours before the UN Security Council meeting, Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant was again attacked by heavy artillery and rocket launchers.

Ukraine sets conditions for IAEA mission in ZNPP

For his part, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, Serhiy Kislitsa, speaking at the UN Security Council, said that the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is to withdraw Russian troops and return Ukraine’s control over the station. Russia is resorting to dangerous provocations at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, placing military equipment there, from which the Russians fire at Ukrainian cities along the banks of the Dnieper River, Kislitsa said.

According to him, Russia failed to convene a meeting of the UN Security Council. The Russian Federation must declare that it accepts the IAEA mission without any conditions and not interfere with the passage of the Ukraine mission. In addition, it is necessary to clean the nuclear power plant and approach it and remove troops, weapons and equipment of the Russian Federation from the station, demanded the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN.

The convening of the UN Security Council was requested by Russia

The UN Security Council meeting was held at the request of Russia. For several days, intensive bombing was carried out in the area around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the attacks.

Along with China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council with veto power. Currently, the presidency of the most influential body of the United Nations belongs to China.