Moscow Criticizes UN Nuclear Chief
Russia's Foreign Ministry has deemed Rafael Grossi's remarks regarding the IAEA's ongoing mission at the Zaporozhye nuclear plant as unacceptable. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for his recent comments regarding the UN watchdog’s role at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.
On Wednesday, Grossi informed the dpa news agency that the IAEA’s permanent mission at the Zaporozhye facility would remain in place until the conflict reaches a potential freeze.
Since March 2022, the Zaporozhye NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian control. By fall 2022, the Zaporozhye Region officially became part of Russia, alongside Kherson Region and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, both Moscow and Kiev have accused each other of shelling the nuclear facility, while the Russian Defense Ministry claims it has thwarted several Ukrainian attempts to reclaim the site.
The IAEA established a permanent presence at the plant in September 2022 to oversee nuclear safety and security.
Grossi stated, “We will continue to be there until the conflict comes to a new phase, at least less combat and maybe a ceasefire – no, a frozen conflict, whatever phase we enter into, but without this looming threat,” during his interview with dpa.
In response to his remarks, the Russian Foreign Ministry described Grossi's statements as “unacceptable.”
The ministry added, “It is completely inexplicable on what basis the IAEA leadership is taking it upon itself to judge the prospects of the notorious ‘freeze,’ which is clearly beyond its authority,” in a statement shared on Telegram.
Furthermore, the ministry asserted that the notion that the IAEA can unilaterally decide the conditions for its experts' presence at the facility is “outrageous.”
“This is absolutely not the case,” the ministry emphasized, noting that the presence of the watchdog’s experts at the Russian facility was initiated by a personal request from Grossi and is contingent on the Russian government's consent, “strictly as long as our country considers their stay there justified.”
The Russian Ministry also accused Ukraine of conducting considerable artillery shelling and drone attacks on Energodar, where employees of the nuclear plant reside, leading to civilian casualties.
The ministry expressed its expectation for Grossi to “present the situation accurately going forward” and urged him “not to go beyond the scope of his competence.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
On Wednesday, Grossi informed the dpa news agency that the IAEA’s permanent mission at the Zaporozhye facility would remain in place until the conflict reaches a potential freeze.
Since March 2022, the Zaporozhye NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian control. By fall 2022, the Zaporozhye Region officially became part of Russia, alongside Kherson Region and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, both Moscow and Kiev have accused each other of shelling the nuclear facility, while the Russian Defense Ministry claims it has thwarted several Ukrainian attempts to reclaim the site.
The IAEA established a permanent presence at the plant in September 2022 to oversee nuclear safety and security.
Grossi stated, “We will continue to be there until the conflict comes to a new phase, at least less combat and maybe a ceasefire – no, a frozen conflict, whatever phase we enter into, but without this looming threat,” during his interview with dpa.
In response to his remarks, the Russian Foreign Ministry described Grossi's statements as “unacceptable.”
The ministry added, “It is completely inexplicable on what basis the IAEA leadership is taking it upon itself to judge the prospects of the notorious ‘freeze,’ which is clearly beyond its authority,” in a statement shared on Telegram.
Furthermore, the ministry asserted that the notion that the IAEA can unilaterally decide the conditions for its experts' presence at the facility is “outrageous.”
“This is absolutely not the case,” the ministry emphasized, noting that the presence of the watchdog’s experts at the Russian facility was initiated by a personal request from Grossi and is contingent on the Russian government's consent, “strictly as long as our country considers their stay there justified.”
The Russian Ministry also accused Ukraine of conducting considerable artillery shelling and drone attacks on Energodar, where employees of the nuclear plant reside, leading to civilian casualties.
The ministry expressed its expectation for Grossi to “present the situation accurately going forward” and urged him “not to go beyond the scope of his competence.”
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
