The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) wants to station experts in certain nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

According to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, they should ensure that technical assistance can be provided quickly and directly if necessary and that the Vienna-based UN agency is always informed quickly and reliably about events.

After Chernobyl one could set off "very soon", said Grossi on Friday.

He had previously spoken to Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Ukraine and in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad about the situation and necessary measures.

As he said, he met representatives of the state nuclear power plant operators as well as the supervisory authorities and foreign ministries of both countries.

On the Ukrainian side, he met at the Ukraine South nuclear power plant,

Stephen Lowenstein

Political correspondent based in Vienna.

  • Follow I follow

An originally proposed framework agreement with both warring parties did not materialize; instead, Grossi held separate talks.

Nevertheless, on Friday he was satisfied with the agreements reached.

"The work has started, but is not finished." A "physical presence" of the IAEA was discussed.

One does not plan with "large numbers", but with "technical expertise".

What is necessary differs depending on the type of system.

Russian troop withdrawal confirmed

In Chernobyl, where the ruins of the reactor damaged in 1986 are in a contaminated area and a spent fuel storage facility is still in operation, the needs are different from those of the current Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

Grossi had previously confirmed that Russian troops had withdrawn from Chernobyl, as well as from the town of Slavutych, where many Chernobyl workers live.

He said on Friday that the movement of heavy military vehicles could mean that slightly increased radiation would be measured for a short time, similar to the occupation at the end of February.

He could not confirm reports about contaminated soldiers.

Grossi had been asked by Ukraine for technical support.

He had already brought some equipment with him on his trip, such as measuring devices, further needs are being coordinated.

In Chernobyl, where surveillance cameras were temporarily out, the inventory of nuclear material is also to be determined to ensure that nothing was diverted.