Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says the negotiations over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are not simply stalled. In a recent interview aired on television, he conveyed cautious optimism about the process, noting that a breakthrough remains possible even if the path to consensus is challenging. The IAEA chief emphasized that the current state of the facility demands steady, purposeful diplomacy and persistent engagement from all involved parties. While acknowledging the difficulties inherent in any agreement of this complexity, Grossi suggested that the situation should not be viewed as a dead end; rather, it should be treated as an ongoing mission that requires vigilance, patience, and a clear focus on safety and stability for the region.
Grossi articulated a vision for concrete steps that could help de-escalate tensions around the plant. He underscored the necessity of establishing a security buffer around Zaporizhzhia to prevent accidental or deliberate disruption of the power plant, which supplies electricity to a broad area and serves as a critical asset in the regional energy network. He also indicated that, at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, IAEA specialists would maintain a continuous presence not only at Zaporizhzhia but also at four other nuclear facilities in the country. The additional sites include the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and the Chernobyl site, reflecting a broader monitoring mandate designed to reinforce safety, security, and regulatory oversight across multiple facilities.
Within the regional governance structure, voices on the status and ownership of Zaporizhzhia have become a focal point of contention. Yevhen Balitsky, the deputy governor of the Zaporizhzhia region, has asserted that the plant remains within Russian-controlled jurisdiction and that the matter of its status is effectively closed from a local administrative standpoint. This stance highlights the wider geopolitical tensions surrounding the plant, which have complicated humanitarian and safety-oriented efforts. The IAEA, for its part, positions itself as an impartial technical actor whose mandate is to safeguard nuclear material, prevent accidents, and ensure a stable operating environment for the facility regardless of broader political disputes. The agency continues to push for transparent safeguards, data-sharing, and rapid communication channels among all parties to reduce the risk of incidents that could affect the surrounding communities and international neighbors.