IAEA head says progress made toward nuclear safety zone at Zaporozhye NPP following his visit to Kiev

PARIS. Oct 7 (Interfax) - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Thursday that he had held talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev, during which he was able to make progress toward a nuclear safety and security protection zone at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

"Excellent meeting with Zelensky on the current situation," Grossi said on Twitter.

"We made progress towards a nuclear safety and security protection zone at the Zaporozhye NPP," the IAEA head added.

He said he would return to Kiev soon "to continue this important exchange."

The IAEA previously said that Grossi would visit Kiev this week and later Moscow to continue consultations on the establishment of a nuclear safety zone at the Zaporozhye NPP.

The Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It operates six VVER-1000 power units. The plant is not generating electricity now, as its last operating reactor was shut down on September 11.

The Russian army has been in control of the nuclear facility since February 28, 2022.

An IAEA mission visited the Zaporozhye NPP on September 1. Two IAEA specialists have been present at the plant since then.