Russia Warns the "Nuclear Agency"

Russian news agencies reported a senior Russian diplomat's statement asserting that any visit by the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant cannot pass through the capital, Kyiv, due to significant risks involved. Igor Vishnevetsky, Deputy Head of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Arms Control Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters, "Imagine what it means to pass through Kyiv... this means they will reach the nuclear power plant via the frontline. This is a great risk, considering that not all Ukrainian armed forces operate the same way." UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated that the UN has the necessary logistical and security capabilities to support an IAEA inspectors' visit to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia plant via Kyiv. TASS news agency quoted Vishnevetsky as saying that any visit of this kind does not have a mandate to address the issue of "disarmament" of the plant as requested by Kyiv and can only deal with "compliance with IAEA guarantees."