The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to pose the world's biggest threat to nuclear safety, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Friday.
Grossi delivered his introductory remarks at a meeting at the Agency headquarters in Vienna, Austria, emphasizing that the IAEA team is assessing 10 substations crucial to nuclear safety in Ukraine.
"In addition to IAEA teams being stationed at the five nuclear power plants in Ukraine, our teams have also been on missions to assess the impact of the situation at electrical substations on nuclear safety. The IAEA will, as a priority, continue to assess the functionality of these substations, within the parameters of its mandate," he said.
The IAEA chief called on all parties to avoid causing damage to nuclear facilities and power supply systems, strictly abide by nuclear safety principles, and prevent nuclear accidents. He stressed that putting an end to conflict is the most fundamental way to ensure nuclear safety.
"We are all, of course, extremely concerned by the ongoing war, and here at the IAEA, on its impact on nuclear safety. We have demonstrated, from the start, how it is possible to make good use of an international institution like the IAEA to prevent escalation and provide certain stability and predictability in the inevitably fluctuating scenario of an ongoing war. This requires focus, compromise, and a sense of responsibility," said Grossi.
Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to threaten global nuclear security: IAEA chief
