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The head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog visits Ukraine’s embattled Zaporizhzhia plant. The head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog visits Ukraine’s embattled Zaporizhzhia plant.
(about 3 hours later)
The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, arrived at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine on Wednesday to discuss conditions at the facility that has been shelled several times since Russian troops seized it last March.The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, arrived at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine on Wednesday to discuss conditions at the facility that has been shelled several times since Russian troops seized it last March.
A spokesman for the agency, Fredrik Dahl, confirmed in a text message that Mr. Grossi had reached the plant, which lies near a heavily militarized front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces.A spokesman for the agency, Fredrik Dahl, confirmed in a text message that Mr. Grossi had reached the plant, which lies near a heavily militarized front line between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Mr. Grossi told The New York Times in an interview on Tuesday that one purpose of his visit was to talk to management and consolidate the permanent presence of inspectors from the I.A.E.A., the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency, who arrived at the plant last September. Here are highlights from the interview:Mr. Grossi told The New York Times in an interview on Tuesday that one purpose of his visit was to talk to management and consolidate the permanent presence of inspectors from the I.A.E.A., the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency, who arrived at the plant last September. Here are highlights from the interview:
Russia’s state-owned nuclear company, Rosatom, has taken over the management of the plant. Rosatom is trying to force plant operatives and engineers to sign contracts with it rather than with Ukraine’s state nuclear company.Russia’s state-owned nuclear company, Rosatom, has taken over the management of the plant. Rosatom is trying to force plant operatives and engineers to sign contracts with it rather than with Ukraine’s state nuclear company.
Mr. Grossi said he did not know whether Rosatom intended to connect the plant to Russia’s grid.Mr. Grossi said he did not know whether Rosatom intended to connect the plant to Russia’s grid.
He also said it was imperative that the nuclear power plant had enough water for its cooling systems.He also said it was imperative that the nuclear power plant had enough water for its cooling systems.
The Ukrainian authorities have said in recent weeks that Russian forces, who control a dam downstream from the plant on the Dnipro River, were allowing the water level to fall in the reservoir that feeds the nuclear facility.The Ukrainian authorities have said in recent weeks that Russian forces, who control a dam downstream from the plant on the Dnipro River, were allowing the water level to fall in the reservoir that feeds the nuclear facility.
Recent reports, including from some Ukrainian officials, suggest that Ukraine could launch a counteroffensive in the south of the country in the coming weeks. That could mean an escalation of fighting in the region of the nuclear plant.Recent reports, including from some Ukrainian officials, suggest that Ukraine could launch a counteroffensive in the south of the country in the coming weeks. That could mean an escalation of fighting in the region of the nuclear plant.
Mr. Grossi did not comment on the reports but said that inspectors at the plant had reported “increased military activity” in the area.
“There is a quite obvious increase in the number of troops on both sides and military equipment,” he said. “Our teams are also observing and hearing and seeing more military activity, including detonations, regular, almost permanent.”
He said that the increased activity “most definitely” increased the risk at the plant.
Ukrainian officials have said that Russia effectively blocked the plan to establish a safety and security zone around the plant because it would almost certainly involve their withdrawal.
Mr. Grossi said that he would “never give up” on the plan and that he was consulting with all sides.
“We are refocusing the effort in the sense that we are talking less about a zone and more about establishing protection, which means that we are trying to agree on a certain number of principles and commitments that both sides will have to agree with,” he said.
Mr. Grossi warned the I.A.E.A.’s board of governors recently against complacency, urging the members to be mindful of the perils facing the plant. Its luck, he said, could run out.
He said on Tuesday that he was getting “closer and closer” to achieving the right level of international backing and an agreement on protecting the plant.
“There have been moments where some have had questions, but I see now a growing, very sustained trend in favor of protecting the plant,” he said. He singled out the European Union and China as being clear about this.
“Weaponizing a nuclear power plant, targeting a nuclear power plant, sabotaging a nuclear power plant is a terrible idea,” he said.
Mr. Grossi said that the crisis was without precedent in civilian nuclear history.
He said the way this situation was managed was important, particularly at a time when China, Brazil, India and countries in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are seeking to develop their nuclear industries.