Russia, IAEA to hold consultations on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant early next year

MOSCOW

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Russia will hold consultations on the situation surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant early next year, Russia's Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation said on Saturday.

Rosatom said in a statement on Telegram that its head Alexey Likhachev had a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference COP-28 in Dubai, where the two officials discussed security issues in Zaporizhzhia.

"In particular, the conversation was about the work of the IAEA mission at the plant and the upcoming regular rotation of agency experts scheduled for Dec. 5, 2023. There is an agreement to hold full-scale consultations in January-February 2024," it said.

Likhachev also expressed his support for the IAEA's efforts to promote the peaceful development of nuclear energy as a sustainable source of energy, as well as his willingness to continue joint work in this area.

In a separate statement, the IAEA said the Zaporizhzhia power plant was completely disconnected from its external source of electricity last night, without specifying reasons.

Grossi has repeatedly stated that power outages at the plant jeopardize the facility's physical and nuclear safety.

Moscow holds Ukraine responsible for causing problems with power supply to the plant, pointing out that all problems are caused by territories controlled by Ukraine and that Russia has no reason to endanger its personnel or a nuclear power plant under its control.