Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, clarified that Vladimir Putin does not presently plan to meet with Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The statement was conveyed to Interfax, underscoring the current scheduling reality surrounding high-level discussions about nuclear oversight and international safeguards. In response to Grossi’s public suggestion that a meeting with Putin could happen in the near term, Peskov emphasized that such an engagement is not on the president’s immediate calendar, signaling a pause or postponement in the diplomatic pace from Moscow’s side as the nuclear oversight dialogue continues to unfold.
Reflecting on past exchanges, a record from October notes that the former IAEA leadership described a “deep and candid” meeting with President Putin in Saint Petersburg. That account highlighted the belief that the dialogue carried significance for reaching a broader agreement. The description implies that, at that time, participants saw substantial value in direct conversations to clarify issues, align expectations, and forge a path toward common understanding on sensitive nuclear matters. The statements suggest a careful calibration of public messaging around high-level talks, balancing transparency with strategic timing in the ongoing relationship between Moscow and the IAEA.
As of January 6, the IAEA reported ongoing negotiations concerning the establishment of a protected zone around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The agency’s update points to active efforts to define security parameters, access controls, and safeguards that would help ensure continuous, safe operation under difficult conditions. These discussions are part of a broader framework aimed at preserving nuclear security and minimizing risk in volatile environments, with attention to how such zones would interact with local authorities, international observers, and plant operators. The evolving talks reflect the IAEA’s commitment to maintaining robust safety standards even amid geopolitical tensions, while seeking practical arrangements that can endure despite shifting circumstances on the ground.
In addition, the IAEA noted that a backup power line, crippled by artillery fire in late December, has not yet been restored. The situation underscores the critical vulnerability that war-related disruptions pose to nuclear infrastructure and the imperative for rapid resilience measures. To address these risks, the agency indicated plans to deploy permanent mission teams to the remaining Ukrainian nuclear facilities, including Khmelnytskyi, the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, Rivne, and the Chernobyl site, which has lain idle in its current state. The deployment aims to ensure continuous monitoring, reinforce safety protocols, and sustain independent verification of safety systems across the network of reactors and related facilities. This proactive approach reflects the IAEA’s ongoing mandate to safeguard civilian nuclear activities and to provide objective assessments amid ongoing conflict, keeping the international community informed about safeguards, compliance, and risk reduction efforts.