The perilous situation on the ground at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine means International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi will continue pressing for protection of the facility so that there is no attack on it and also that the site is not used to launch attacks.

Grossi said he is continuing his efforts and negotiations with Ukraine and the Russia, which has occupied the six-unit station, the largest in Europe, since the early days of the conflict.

Grossi said in March that negotiations about safety and security at Zaporizhzhia, near the frontline southeastern Ukraine, were focused mainly on measures aimed at protecting the facility. Grossi had initially been focused on the establishment of a security and protection zone around the station. He held talks with Russia and Ukraine on the protection zone, but an agreement proved elusive.