The UN’s nuclear watchdog defended itself on Monday against criticism from the Ukrainian government following the recent rotation of agency experts at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for transporting the experts to the plant, which is on the edge of the front line in eastern Ukraine, via a route through Russian-controlled territory.
Behind the protest is the concern in Kiev that the IAEA’s permanent presence at the plant and the new route could be tantamount to international recognition of the Russian occupation.
Kiev has long opposed UN experts entering through Russian-controlled territory, arguing it legitimized the Kremlin’s false claims of ownership.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday that it was an “extraordinary exception” to the usual travel to and from the plant via Ukrainian territory. He said fears for the “security of [his] staff” were behind the decision, noting that Russia drones hit an IAEA convoy in December.
He emphasized that his decision had no broader political meaning.
Russian forces seized the plant shortly after the invasion nearly three years ago. Although it no longer generates power and remains largely shut down, safety risks persist. The IAEA deploys staff to the site on a rotational basis.
