Likhachev, Grossi discuss Zaporozhye NPP security, agree on further contacts - Rosatom

MOSCOW. Jun 23 (Interfax) - A Russian delegation met with representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Kaliningrad on Friday to discuss nuclear safety and security at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which were highlighted by IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi at the UN Security Council, and the IAEA's further steps in this area.

"Ensuring nuclear safety and the security of the Zaporozhye NPP, highlighted by Grossi at the UN Security Council briefing on May 30, was the focal point," Rosatom said on Telegram.

According to Rosatom, Grossi presented his vision of what the IAEA would do next to implement the principles that were formulated.

"In turn, Rosatom General Director Alexei Likhachev and other speakers emphasized our expectations of the practical steps [to be made by] the IAEA Secretariat aimed at preventing Ukrainian strikes on the Zaporozhye NPP, the adjacent territory and critical supporting infrastructure," Rosatom said.

In addition, the meeting addressed results of Grossi's trip to the power plant with an IAEA rotation mission on June 15. "At his request, the IAEA general-director was given a tour of the outdoor switchgear of the Zaporozhye NPP, a key element of the infrastructure providing the external power supply to the plant, and shown the impact of attacks by kamikaze drones of the Ukrainian Armed Forces," Rosatom said.

Likhachev told the IAEA director-general about Russian efforts to ensure the safe operation of the Zaporozhye NPP, including its supply with water after Kiev's destruction of the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant dam.

"During the visit, the [IAEA] director-general could see for himself that the hydraulic works of the Zaporozhye NPP are operating normally and the water level in the cooling pond is sufficient for the safe functioning of the plant," Rosatom said, adding that contacts with the IAEA would continue.

Likhachev headed the Russian delegation to the meeting. Other participants were Rostekhnadzor head Alexander Trembitsky, head of the Russian National Guard's main security department Vladimir Mashevsky, acting deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's non-proliferation and arms control department Mikhail Kondratenkov, and a representative of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces. The IAEA was represented by Grossi and his deputies.