Russia has expressed optimism about restarting operations at the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) following a recent round of interagency consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in Kaliningrad, according to a press release issued by the State Nuclear Corporation Rosatom.
The IAEA delegation was led by Director General Rafael Grossi, while the Russian side was headed by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.
Likhachev briefed the IAEA on the ongoing preparations for restarting the Zaporozhskaya plant and restoring it to power generation mode. The discussions primarily focused on ensuring nuclear safety and security at the facility, which has come under repeated attacks amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Both parties also addressed the logistics and safety of regular IAEA expert rotations at the plant. The Russian delegation stressed that the safety of IAEA personnel and other relevant agency representatives remains a top priority during these rotations.
Director General Grossi shared his assessment of the situation at the plant and briefed the Russian side on his recent international engagements concerning the matter.
Russian delegation also comprised the Head of Rostechnadzor Alexander Trembitskiy, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov, Deputy Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Kondratenkov; Chief of Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Alexey Rtischev; and Head of the General Directorate for Facilities’ Security of the Federal National Guard Troops Service Vladimir Mashevskiy.
Other issues of mutual interest pertinent to the cooperation between Russia and the IAEA were also touched upon during the consultations. Both sides regarded the conversation as useful and open and confirmed their commitment to maintaining contacts.