Ukraine doing all to make IAEA visit to Zaporizhzhia NPP safe and effective - MFA

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

"This is an important mission, and we are doing everything to make it happen safely and effectively. The Russian occupying forces should stop shelling the corridors being used by IAEA delegates to reach the plant and not hinder its activities at the station," Nikolenko said.

He said that for almost six months, Russian troops have illegally stayed at Europe's largest nuclear power plant, and seven fundamental principles of the peaceful use of nuclear technologies and nuclear energy have been grossly violated.

"Within the scope of their mission, IAEA experts must record violations of nuclear and radiation safety standards and norms at the ZNPP amid Russian occupation. Ukraine's position remains unchanged: the NPP must be immediately demilitarized, deoccupied and transferred to the full control of the Ukrainian government," Nikolenko said.

He also called on the international community to increase pressure on Russia for the complete demilitarization and deoccupation of the nuclear plant and its return to Ukraine's control.

The IAEA team, led by Director General Rafael Grossi, this morning left Kyiv for the Zaporizhzhia NPP to inspect the situation and set up a permanent monitoring mission at the plant.

The ZNPP, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, has been captured by the Russian military since March 4. The invaders have placed military equipment and ammunition at the plant, shelling the surrounding area.

The United Nations, the United States, and Ukraine called on Russia to withdraw its military equipment and personnel from the nuclear facility.