UPDATE - Heads of Russian, UN nuclear watchdogs discuss safety of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Russia's city of Kaliningrad

ADDS STATEMENT ON RESULTS OF TALKS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Leaders of the Russian and UN nuclear watchdogs discussed safety concerns surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant at a meeting Tuesday in Kaliningrad, according to the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom).

The UN delegation, headed by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, engaged in discussions alongside the Russian delegation which was led by Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, it said.

"The primary focus of the consultations centered on ensuring the safety protocols at the Zaporizhzhia NPP," said a statement.

Likhachev reiterated Russia's commitment to actively collaborate in safeguarding the plant's operations amidst Ukrainian "provocations," and spoke in detail with Grossi about Rosatom's coordination with IAEA experts stationed at the facility.

The Russian delegation featured key officials including Alexander Trembitsky, head of the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor), as well as representatives from the Foreign Ministry, defense authorities overseeing radiation, chemical, and biological protection and the Russian Guards Corps.

Grossi shared insights on the plant's current status, according to the statement.

"Additionally, the parties explored broader areas of cooperation between Russia and the IAEA, particularly focusing on the future of global nuclear energy development. Both sides affirmed their commitment to regular communication and collaboration," it said.

The meeting at Kaliningrad's Khrabrovo airport, spanned approximately three hours, as confirmed by Rosatom.

Over the past year and a half, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has visited Russia multiple times to discuss the situation at the NPP. These meetings have taken place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, and Sochi.

In March, Grossi visited Sochi, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During their conversation, the IAEA chief urged for maximum military restraint around the NPP. Additionally, they discussed broader aspects of Russia's cooperation with the IAEA.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest and one of the world’s 10 biggest, has been under Russian control since March 2022, soon after the start of the Ukraine war.

Since then, fears of a nuclear catastrophe persist as both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling near the plant.

On April 7, Russia accused Kyiv of attacking a reactor building, though nuclear safety was not compromised.