KYIV, Ukraine – The world’s most dangerous place is arguably the largest nuclear power plant Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine – the site of shelling during Russia’s invasion – and a laser-like of focus for Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) “The situation around Zaporizhzhia is getting worse with the evolution of the conflict,” declared Grossi, who sat down with Fox News on Thursday. “The eastern front is, of course, heating up, so, I believe the establishment, some interim measure of protection of the nuclear site, is even more necessary and urgent than it ever was,” Grossi added. “And I am very anxious to see that I am not getting there as fast I was expecting it to be, or to happen. So this is why it’s so important that I can transmit these to [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, get his support. And it will be my mission to get the Russians to also accept this.” He issued a dire warning in response to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s comment that “The loss of a nuclear power [Russia] in a conventional war can provoke the beginning of a nuclear war.” RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN ANNOUNCES ANNEXATION OF 4 UKRAINIAN TERRITORIES AFTER ‘SHAM’ REFERENDUMS Grossi said, “A nuclear war can never be won, must never be fought, somebody said, and I think it is true. So I’m not passing judgment on the comments of a high official of any country. But this is my conviction. And one way to avoid this is to make sure that there are no nuclear accidents. So certainly, I hope that there will be no nuclear use during this conflict.” The six nuclear reactors that form the Zaporizhzhia installation amid an unpredictable war conjure up worries of a China syndrome-like meltdown. Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear facility in Europe. According to the IAEA’s website, the idea for the inspection agency originated in President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1953 “Atoms for Peace” speech and “was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology.” Grossi’s concerns about the volatile nuclear situation in Ukraine have prompted him to travel frequently to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly a year ago on Feb. 24. “This is my sixth visit to Ukraine since the war started. So we are very engaged. ” He added,, “Well, I’m looking at a protracted presence because, of course, we are all hoping for a speedy solution and peace as soon as practicable, and so soon as possible. But I can foresee a prolonged presence.” RUSSIA ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING HEAD OF UKRAINE NUCLEAR PLANT Grossi noted, “This week what I’ve been doing is I’ve been touring the country in a way and setting up these permanent missions, which have very specific technical tasks to perform. These places, although not in active combat zone, are not, of course, free from, you know, events. And as you have seen, and you see it here in Kyiv from time to time, there are hits and there have been occasions where there was a complete blackout and the stations had to be put in emergency mode. So there are lots of things we can do to support them, to provide technical assistance for them.” The IAEA chief’s itinerary includes a meeting with Zelenskyy “to continue these consultations in order to set up the protection zone around Zaporizhzhia . ” The zone that Grossi referenced is the IAEA’s efforts over the last few months to create a no-fire zone around the Zaporizhzhia reactors. Ukraine insists that Russia withdraw its military from the atomic compound. Moscow has so far refused. There was a flip side to what Grossi described as a “dismaying picture.” He said “On the positive side… I see all the nuclear facilities extremely well run. You know, we are inspectors and we have a very professional look at what we see. There are certain issues that we are looking at.” Grossi continued that there are many challenges, especially with supplies. “You shouldn’t forget that these nuclear power plants are Russian technology here in the country. So when it comes to spare parts or when it comes to supplies, it’s complicated. So the IAEA can help in this regard. ”
Read Full Article
ELLSWORTH — A city council is divided on who to sell a property to after the previous owner …
ETNA — According to the Maine State Police Saturday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m., Trooper’s responded to a …
MEXICO — Saturday a woman died from injuries following a tragic snowmobile crash that occurred a little past …
GREAT POND — Ice fishing enthusiasts came to the Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center on January 21 to …
HOLDEN — Some Holden residents were given a warm welcome on the Saturday morning of January 21.
EAGLE LAKE — State Police troopers arrested one man for drug trafficking in Aroostook County.
LAMOINE –We have an important follow-up on a Lamoine girl who made history with a first-ever permit application …
STATEWIDE — A big announcement was made at the statehouse in Augusta this week. The social media app …
BANGOR — As winter weather sets in across the state, some Mainers are breathing a sigh of relief.
A group of pro-choice protesters gathered outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the 50th …
Vice President Kamala Harris left out mentioning the right to life when quoting the Declaration of Independence on …
Frat-house frolics became a national obsession when Wham-O Manufacturing Co. of California began producing the Pluto Platter — …
In the final minutes of the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at home on Sunday, it …
With six seconds left on the clock and down a touchdown, the Dallas Cowboys found themselves in a …
Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor during the Clinton administration and a prominent progressive academic, was criticized for …
Alec Baldwin will return for the lead role in the “Rust” film production despite double involuntary manslaughter charges …
It wasn’t the offensive onslaught the San Francisco 49ers displayed last week at Levi’s Stadium, but they still …
The Texas Department of Public Safety, on Sunday, rescued over 20 migrants from a train smuggling operation near …
James Cameron joined an exclusive club Sunday — one that includes only himself … he’s the sole director …
Pamela Anderson claims Tim Allen once showed her his penis, unsolicited — a revelation just now coming to …
Amy Adams got a fairytale ending in her latest film, and it seems she’s mirror-mirroring that off camera …
Damar Hamlin showed up for his guys in person Sunday — the first time he’s been back in …
The days of ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah’ at Disney parks in the U.S. are about to be long gone — which …
Chrisean Rock got into a physical altercation shortly after announcing she was pregnant with Blueface’s child — this …
Selena Gomez recently said she was single, but we’re not so sure about that … and neither is …
Beyonce most certainly lived up to her nickname, “Queen Bey,” during her Dubai performance Saturday night … and …
Lisa Marie Presley’s celebration of life at Graceland is almost underway, as her family members, friends and countless …
In the final minutes of the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at home on Sunday, it …
With six seconds left on the clock and down a touchdown, the Dallas Cowboys found themselves in a …
It wasn’t the offensive onslaught the San Francisco 49ers displayed last week at Levi’s Stadium, but they still …
Coban Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star forward Michael Porter Jr., was arrested early Sunday morning in …
San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle showed off his epic concentration skills in the third quarter of their …
Brett Maher’s extra-point kicking woes traveled with him on the Dallas Cowboys team plane from Tampa Bay to …
Damian Dunn scored 16 points and made the go-ahead free throw, Kur Jongkuch blocked Houston’s go-ahead attempt in …
The game between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys didn’t even kick off yet and things were …
The Cincinnati Bengals may have had an added chip on their shoulder going into their divisional-round matchup against …
