I A E A director condemns pressure on Zaporizhzhia plant personnel amid Russian demands
Staff operating Europe’s largest nuclear facility in Zaporizhzhia report facing unacceptable pressure as Moscow tries to compel them to sign new employment contracts with Rosatom, the Russian state company. The situation drew strong rebuke from the IAEA, which outlined the growing concerns and the responsibility of plant leadership to safeguard safe operations and free decision-making for workers on site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency issued a formal statement noting that the challenges at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have intensified over the past week, highlighting risks to staff morale, operational continuity, and the broader safety framework that guards against any disruption to plant functions.
In related developments, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had a candid and constructive meeting in Kiev with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The discussions focused on the situation around the Zaporizhzhia site in the wake of Russia’s annexation and ongoing control issues in southeastern Ukraine, and what they mean for regional energy security and nonproliferation commitments. The meeting underscored the agency’s commitment to monitoring conditions on the ground and to supporting Ukrainian authorities in maintaining safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology.