The russian foreign ministry is threatening to stop the work of the IAEA mission at Zaporizhzhia NPP due to statements by its Director General Rafael Grossi, who said that experts would remain at the plant “until the war reaches a "frozen" phase”.
"We will continue to be there (at ZNPP) until the conflict comes to a new phase, at least less combat and maybe a ceasefire," Grossi said.
The kremlin claims that the mission's presence at the ZNPP is possible only with its permission.
It is important to note that the presence of international IAEA experts at Zaporizhzhia NPP and other nuclear power plants in Ukraine resulted from agreements reached during a meeting between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Rafael Grossi. The parties agreed on the deployment of IAEA missions at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities to ensure continuous monitoring and prevent possible incidents. It should be stressed: at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including ZNPP.
Ukraine's initiative has become a significant step in strengthening international confidence in the safety of Ukrainian NPPs, especially in times of war. Ukraine demonstrates openness and willingness to cooperate, unlike russia, which continues to act as a nuclear terrorist state, ignoring international laws and rules.
Threats to terminate the IAEA mission at ZNPP confirm that the kremlin does not intend to comply with any international law. The seizure of ZNPP, deployment of military and equipment there, shelling of critical infrastructure, and manipulation of energy security are direct evidence of russia's nuclear terrorism.
Maintaining the IAEA's work at ZNPP is a matter of both Ukraine’s and global security. The international community must ensure ongoing monitoring and hold russia accountable.
