IAEA chief working on compromise plan for nuclear plant in Ukraine

The chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday that he was working on a compromise security plan for the Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and warned of increased military activity around it.

There are persistent fears over the safety of the plant in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia, where there has been frequent shelling since Russian troops invaded in 2022.

During a rare visit to the facility, Europe's largest, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mr Rafael Grossi, said he was working to find a compromise that would suit both Moscow and Kyiv.

"I am trying to prepare and propose realistic measures that will be approved by all parties," he told reporters during a press tour organised by Moscow at the plant, which is controlled by Russian forces.

"We must avoid catastrophe. I am an optimist and I believe that this is possible," said Mr Grossi, who arrived at the plant in a Russian armoured vehicle, surrounded by soldiers in full combat gear.

But he also warned of increasing military activity around the nuclear plant and expressed hope that Russia and Ukraine would agree on safety principles.

He added that the visit to the plant was "extremely useful".

"The idea is to agree on certain principles, certain commitments, including not to attack the plant," he separately told AFP.

Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of shelling the plant, increasing fears of a disaster. Russian soldiers stationed at the plant said during Mr Grossi's visit on Wednesday that they have been preparing for a possible attack from Kyiv.