The head of the UN atomic energy watchdog said Monday he was ready to continue talks in Ukraine and Russia this week to set up a security zone around a key nuclear power plant.

Fighting around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant -- Europe's largest -- has raised fears of a nuclear disaster.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last week to discuss setting up the security zone around the plant to protect it.

"This is possible. This must be done. And I'm ready to continue these consultations in both countries this week so that we can protect this plant," he said in his opening statement at the agency's annual general conference.

"The work there will allow us to stabilise a situation that is simply unacceptable. And I'm convinced that it's something that we can do."

"This war must stop. But before that happens... we must do everything in our power to prevent a nuclear accident that would add tragedy to the suffering," he added.

The IAEA and Western powers voiced alarm Wednesday over the safety of the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant as Kyiv accused Russia of new shelling.

Europe's largest atomic facility was seized by Russian troops in March, and shelling around it has spurred calls from Kyiv and its Western allies to demilitarise areas around nuclear plants in Ukraine.

A team of IAEA experts inspected the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in early September, and the IAEA has hada two-member team on site since then.

Related Links
Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Belgium shuts down nuclear reactor despite energy doubts
Brussels (AFP) Sept 23, 2022
Belgium on Friday will push through with a decades-old plan to shut down a nuclear reactor despite calls for a rethink given fears of power blackouts this winter. Wedged between nuclear-powered France and gas-and-coal-dependent Germany, Belgium relies on about half of its electricity needs from an ageing stable of seven nuclear reactors that are operated by Engie, a French company. The closure of one of the four reactors at the Doel plant near the port of Antwerp is the first step in Belgium's d ... read more