Grossi’s explanation of why the “Russian route” was used to access Zaporizhia

According to RCO News Agency, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed that the organization uses a “safe and reliable” route to transport its experts to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

He appreciated Russia’s efforts to ensure the safety of the agency’s employees and said that Russia took control of this power plant during the war in Ukraine.

“I don’t want to say that this path is permanent,” Ryanovsi News agency reported after the periodic exchange of International Atomic Energy Agency experts at the Zaporizhia power plant earlier this month. We may find other options and even other routes in Russia itself. Changes may also occur. We hope that peace will be established and after that the route issue will become less urgent.”

“We use a safe and reliable route and I appreciate the Russian Federation for its efforts to ensure the safety of our employees during their journey there,” he continued.

The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency added that he had previously thanked the Ukrainian side for securing a part of the route that used to pass through the territory of Ukraine.

“That’s my position,” Grossi said. I try to be pragmatic and avoid politicizing the issue of the path. This is the existing reality and we continue to work in this situation.”

The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River and near the city of Energodar. This power plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of number of units and capacity, which has 6 power plant units with a capacity of one gigawatt each.

This power plant became the property of Russia in October 2022. Experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency started their work at the power plant on September 1, 2022, after the first visit of Rafael Grossi.

end of message