The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, addressed the UN Security Council on 15 April to highlight the need for timely access to the Zaporizhizhia nuclear station to assess its condition and evaluate the cumulative impact that more than 26 months in a war zone have had on nuclear safety at the facility.

The assessment is needed following the recent violations since 7 April of the agency’s key safety principles, which were established specifically for the Zaporizhizhia station in May last year.

“I am asking the [Security] Council for its steadfast support for the five principles and the IAEA’s seven pillars of nuclear safety and security, which they help to underpin”, Grossi said.

“I am asking for your continued support of the IAEA’s role monitoring the situation, in the service of the international community,” Grossi added.