15 Jan 2025 11:41

Next rotation of IAEA mission at Zaporozhye NPP due in first half of Feb - Rosatom head

HANOI. Jan 15 (Interfax) - The next rotation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is due in early February, and interagency consultations with the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian Defense Ministry and the Russian National Guard is due in the same month, Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev said.

"For now, negotiations with the IAEA have been normal. We are planning the next rotation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant for the first half of February," Likhachev told the press.

The IAEA mission of two to four specialists had been stationed at the Zaporozhye NPP since September 2022, he said.

"Simultaneously, we are conducting interagency consultations, which include both Rostom, the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry and the Russian National Guard. We are discussing the next round of consultations to take place approximately in February this year," Likhachev said.

He declined to say whether the new U.S. sanctions on the Rosatom leadership might affect the position of IAEA heads. "The decision applies to practically all members of the Rosatom leadership. Actually, we do not expect this decision to have consequences for interaction in the peaceful nuclear sector," Likhachev said. "To be honest, we have not experienced or planned any serious changes in our practices," he said.

As to the wording of the decision on sanctions, Likhachev said, "It looks more like an award list than a sanction decision. In my opinion, it somewhat records our achievements and merits."