IAEA chief on visit to Russia regarding safety of Ukrainian nuclear plant. Loktej World News

Moscow, March 06 (HS). The head of the UN’s atomic energy watchdog is on a visit to Russia amid security concerns over the security of these installations after Russia took over Ukraine’s nuclear power plants.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi arrived in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday evening for talks on nuclear safety in Ukraine, according to Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti. Grossi announced the trip on Monday, the first day of a regular meeting of the agency’s 35-nation board of directors in Vienna.

The IAEA has repeatedly expressed concern about the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, amid fears of a potential nuclear disaster. The plant’s six reactors have been shut down for months, but it still needs electricity and qualified staff to operate critical cooling systems and other safety features.

Speaking to reporters, the IAEA chief said he took part in a “very intensive and detailed working session” with Russian officials. These included officials from Russia’s state nuclear energy agency Rosatom and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense. “I think it gave me and us an opportunity to evaluate the situation at the nuclear power plant,” he said. The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would also meet Grossi during his visit.