Grossi’s emphasis on the role of Russia in the energy supply chain in the world

according to the report of Tasnim news international group, Rafael Grossi In an exclusive interview with the Izostia media company, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that the organization intends to maintain its constructive dialogue with both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. According to him, for this purpose, regular meetings of consultations are necessary, because there are many things to exchange opinions.

Grossi said: One of the important points during the military conflict What we are witnessing in Ukraine is that, unfortunately, the international institutions, with the exception of the International Atomic Energy Agency, have not been able to have a constructive dialogue with both sides of this conflict, and I really want this issue to continue. Because, regardless of our position on the underlying factors of the conflict, our mission is to ensure the security of all nuclear facilities in the world, including the Zaporizhia power plant, and for this purpose, it is naturally necessary to talk with both sides of the conflict, that is, Russia and Ukraine.

He noted that this is not easy to do because the two countries have completely different views on what is happening and on absolutely everything from property rights to the future. And during the negotiations, a very purposeful effort is made to isolate these external factors that cannot be ignored and focus on the technical aspects of the issues. Of course, due to the importance of the issue, the Agency supports the continuation of talks with the authorities of Moscow and Kyiv. 

Grossi added: “It’s very important to be able to periodically talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, because obviously I can’t meet him every month.” I often negotiate with Aksi Likhachev, the head of Russia’s RosAtom company, and sometimes with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. The ability to identify and punish those responsible for the attacks on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. In response to another question, Raphael Grossi noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency cannot impose sanctions against those who are responsible for the attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, even if they can identify the party responsible. He added: What the International Atomic Energy Agency can do is to inform the international community, including the UN Security Council, about the situation.

According to this Officials, the agency only conducts independent inspections, and if it receives undeniable evidence, it will make an independent assessment of the situation and inform the international community. Otherwise, the existing expectation from an expert and independent organization will not be met. 

On Monday, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, stressed that if the shelling of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant continues, the International Atomic Energy Agency should intervene. Ukrainian gunmen to confess to the attacks on these nuclear facilities. According to him, so far the circumstances have allowed Mr. Grossi to point out the lack of 100% evidence in this regard and not to identify the culprit.

Grossi: America knows that giving up Russian uranium is unrealistic

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in another part of this The interviewer expressed confidence that the United States fully understands the unrealistic nature of the move to abandon uranium purchases from Russia.

Earlier, in early May, the report The US Senate passed a ban on the import of enriched uranium from Russia. This document was signed in the middle of the same month by US President Joe Biden. This restriction will take effect 90 days after the signing of this law.

Rafael Grossi explained: I know that in the United States they are trying to strengthen and stimulate production. are internal in this field. This is their sovereign decision, they have the right to do so. It remains to be seen what will happen. But I think that this measure (the ban on importing uranium from Russia) has been adopted with some exceptions and considerations, and this means that they understand that these measures are unrealistic in the current market conditions.

He continued: Of course, this ban will not have an immediate effect.  However, naturally, sanctions are always used as a tool to exert pressure. But I cannot judge whether such decisions are good or bad at the government level. But of course they exist.

According to Grossi, the structure of the international supply chain largely includes Russia and not only the United States. He added: “Here in Europe, there are many heavy water reactors that depend on Russian fuel and services for maintenance: I am talking about the countries of Eastern Europe, where the percentage of nuclear energy used is very high, in the range of -30 40% and these countries simply need heavy water reactors to function properly. Therefore, the role of Russia in this field should not be ignored.

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