Negotiations about safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in southeastern Ukraine are now focused mainly on measures aimed at protecting the facility, with International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi confirming that “wittingly or unwittingly” two reactor buildings were hit during shelling in November.

Grossi told a press conference at the station on Wednesday (29 March) that initially the IAEA was focused on the establishment of a well-determined security and protection zone around the plant.

Grossi has long called for a security and protection zone to be set up around the station, which is near the front line of the war. He has held talks with Russia and Ukraine, but an agreement has been elusive.

He said the concept is now evolving to plant protection rather than territorial aspects, which “pose certain problems”. He said the plan is a work in progress and he is working with both governments.