Dialogue with IAEA to continue even if Grossi?s visit to nuke plant fruitless - official

MELITOPOL, March 29. /TASS/. Russia will continue dialogue with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on ensuring nuclear security even if the visit by the agency?s Director General Rafael Grossi to the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant does not accomplish anything, Renat Karchaa, adviser to the chief executive of Russia?s Rosenergoatom nuclear power plant operator, told TASS on Wednesday.

"We are far from having any illusions that Grossi?s visit will be a game-changer. For us, it is just a routine working visit. Although, anything can happen. What will actually be implemented is another issue altogether but a lack of results is not a reason not to hold dialogue," he said.

According to him, Russia has always been fully open to dialogue on ensuring nuclear security. "We are ready to adopt any reasonable recommendations, any initiatives directed at ensuring nuclear security," the official noted.

"Grossi, to his credit, is not ceasing his active efforts at shuttle diplomacy - he holds meetings both with the Russian and Ukrainian sides. If he comes to Russia, we will welcome him. Russia greets everyone who arrives with peaceful and constructive intentions," he added.

Grossi announced his plans to visit the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant on March 25. Later, Karchaa told TASS that the visit would take place on March 29, coinciding with a regular rotation of IAEA experts which last time was delayed by nearly a month through the fault of the UN Department of Safety and Security. Grossi himself said that he was planning to personally inspect how the situation had changed since his last visit to the nuclear facility in September 2022. Prior to his current visit to the nuclear power station, Grossi visited the Dnieper hydropower plant on March 27, where he met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. On March 22, Grossi said that the creation of a demilitarized zone around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was no longer being considered and the focus should be on ceasing hostilities in the vicinity of the facility. --0--vvs/vvk