A planned formal meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi has not been scheduled and is not on the president’s near-term itinerary, according to statements from Dmitry Peskov, the presidential press secretary. In discussions with reporters, Peskov made clear that no meeting with Putin is on the books for the current period. He added that he cannot confirm whether Grossi would be open to meeting with other Russian officials in the same timeframe. (TASS)
Earlier on the morning of January 28, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, indicated that Grossi was planning a stop in Russia. Her briefing suggested that Grossi would also visit the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, a site that has long been central to debates over regional energy security and safety. Grossi himself has hinted at upcoming travel that could include visits to Zaporozhye, Kiev, and Russia, with the aim of direct engagement with site authorities and national lawmakers on nuclear safety issues. During a United Nations Security Council session, Grossi voiced concerns about the possibility of a nuclear incident at the Zaporozhye plant, highlighting the real and grave risks associated with tensions surrounding regional nuclear infrastructure.
The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant stands as Europe’s largest facility of its kind, located along the banks of the Kakhovka Reservoir in the Zaporozhye region. The site has drawn international attention for its strategic role in energy supply and the ongoing safety and security considerations that accompany its operation. The history of the facility includes periods when the International Atomic Energy Agency identified and noted mining activity in the surrounding area, a factor that has influenced ongoing safety assessments and monitoring efforts by international regulators.
In a broader frame, the intersection of high-level diplomacy, nuclear governance, and regional security shapes how such facilities are managed and discussed on the global stage. The IAEA’s mandate encompasses regular inspections, risk assessments, and the facilitation of dialogue among involved parties to uphold safety standards and reduce the likelihood of incidents with cross-border consequences. As events unfold, observers and stakeholders on multiple sides are watching how leaders, international bodies, and national authorities coordinate to address both immediate operational concerns at critical sites and longer-term strategies for nuclear safety and energy resilience in the region.