'It is a question of political will': IAEA chief urges Ukraine, Russia to restore power to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, urged Ukraine and Russia on Friday to show the “political will” needed to keep the area around the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant safe and restore its external power line.

Europe’s largest nuclear facility, with six reactors, has been under Russian control since the early weeks of Moscow’s invasion. It has been cut off from external power since 23 September — the tenth time the line has failed — forcing the plant to rely on emergency diesel generators to cool fuel in its reactors.

Grossi stresses political will over technical issues

Grossi said both sides had agreed they were ready to carry out repairs on their respective sides of the frontline. “But for this to happen, the security situation on the ground must improve so that the technicians can carry out their vital work without endangering their lives,” he said. “I’m calling on both sides to do what is necessary to prevent a further deterioration. It is a question of political will, not whether it is technically possible, which it is.”

Blame game over nuclear safety

Each side has accused the other of putting nuclear safety at risk. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine this week that strikes near the plant are “playing a dangerous game,” while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Moscow of deliberately cutting the line to connect the plant to its own grid.

Power cut at Chornobyl raises further concerns

Grossi also drew attention to a recent power cut at the decommissioned Chornobyl nuclear plant, which lasted 16 hours.

During the blackout, the containment vessel built in 2016 experienced a partial loss of power and had no reserve electricity for three hours when the nearby town of Slavutych lost its power line.

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