IAEA Welcomes The Expert Team At Ukraine's Four PLTN And Closed Chernobyl

Rafael Grossi (left). (Source: IAEA Imagebank)

JAKARTA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has placed a team of experts at four Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plants (PLTN) to reduce the risk of severe accidents during Russia's war against the country, the agency's head Rafael Grossi said Wednesday.

The IAEA has previously placed a permanent mission at the largest PLTN in Ukraine and Europe, Zaporizhia, which is controlled by Russian forces.

The IAEA's permanent presence at all Ukrainian nuclear facilities, with a total of at least 11 staff, marks an unprecedented expansion for the agency.

The IAEA technicians will also be in Chernobyl, a nuclear plant now shut down, the site of the 1986 deadly nuclear crash that spread to much of Europe.

"Starting tomorrow, there will be two flags at all nuclear facilities in Ukraine; one from Ukraine and the second from the international nuclear body," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a joint press conference with Grossi at the government headquarters in Kyiv.

Grossi and his team arrived in Ukraine this week, to fly the IAEA flag and place staff at every nuclear facility, visiting Chernobyl on Wednesday and Rivne on Tuesday. Staff will remain at the facility "as long as they are requested" by the Ukrainian government, he said.

Grossi said the IAEA flag flying in Ukraine was not just symbolic.

"They reflect and they will signal the presence of some of the most famous safety and security experts who will provide advice and technical support during these very difficult times, for each facility to face different challenges and problems depending on the situation."

PM Shmyhal also said he asked the IAEA to impose sanctions on Russia's Atomic Agency, seize Moscow's rights and privileges in the IAEA and stop all forms of nuclear cooperation with the country.

Meanwhile, Grossi said the decision would be submitted to member countries for discussion.

IAEA experts will deepen technical expertise at each plant, to prevent nuclear crashes during Russia's war, which is now entering its 11th month, continues, and to monitor nuclear safety and security systems. Grossi said the mission was being installed at the request of the Ukrainian government.

"We want to avoid nuclear accidents, therefore we are turning to the IAEA for security and protection," said PM Shmyhal.

Grossi remains pressing to establish a nuclear safety and security protection zone around Zaporizhia, where the IAEA has been present for more than four months.

"I remain determined to realize the much-needed protection zone as quickly as possible. My consultation with Ukraine and Russia is progressing, although not as fast as it should be," Grossi said in a statement Tuesday.