Macron: Russia and Ukraine gave security guarantees for the IAEA mission at ZNPP

France received security guarantees from Russia and Ukraine for the IAEA mission to the Zaporizhia NPP. This statement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron, answering questions from journalists during a visit to Algeria.

“We have received security guarantees from Ukraine and Russia for an upcoming independent mission that could help protect the station,” he said (quote according to TASS).

Macron also noted that he was “seriously concerned” about the safety of the station. According to him, since March he has been in contact with the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, on Ukraine’s nuclear security. First, this concerned the situation at the Chernobyl, and then at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. The French leader clarified that he also discussed the topic of nuclear security with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky.

On August 16, it became known about the start of preparations for the second IAEA mission to ZNPP. Mikhail Ulyanov, permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, said that the preparations are still going slowly because of Grossi’s vacation. A week later, the IAEA director said that the mission could take place within a few days if negotiations were successful.

On August 25, Bloomberg reported that the experts’ trip to the ZNPP would take place no later than September 5. On the same day, Grossi announced that he would personally lead this mission. According to him, she will arrive at the station in the coming days.

Today, the IAEA director general admitted that the presence of the mission at the station could become permanent. He also noted the complexity of the upcoming trip. According to him, the arrival of experts to the site through the war zone is not so easy to implement. Grossi added that it is necessary to choose a safe route and get support from the UN, which will help the experts get to the ZNPP.

During the special operation, the Russian Armed Forces took control of a part of the Zaporozhye region of Ukraine, including Energodar, where the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of the number of units and installed capacity, the ZNPP, is located. Now the Armed Forces of Ukraine are regularly shelling Energodar, the surrounding villages and the territory of the ZNPP adjacent to the city.

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