Grossi called on Ukraine and Russia to abide by five principles for the protection of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Rafael Grossi, head of the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has urged Ukraine and Russia to abide by “concrete principles” to prevent a nuclear disaster at Ukraine’s Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
Speaking to the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Grossi said the nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant “remains extremely fragile and dangerous”.
He urged both sides to abide by five principles to protect the power plant, suggesting he had no agreement on protecting the facility.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency specifically urged that the plant not be used as a base for heavy weapons, such as multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems, and ammunition and tanks, or for military personnel that could be used to launch attacks from the plant — one of five principles .
His five principles also include not attacking or attacking plants. 
Efforts of the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency
For months, Grossi has been trying to reach an agreement to reduce the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident caused by military activities, such as the shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine, which has been occupied by Russia for more than a year.
Zaporizhzhia, which once provided about 20 percent of Ukraine’s electricity, continued to operate during the early months of the Russian offensive despite frequent shelling until it ceased generating power in September.
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Grossi also called for ensuring that the plant’s off-site power remains available and safe, that all its vital systems are protected from attack or acts of sabotage, and that no action be taken to disrupt power, according to those principles.
“Military activity in the region continues and is likely to increase significantly in the near future,” Grossi said.
“The site lost all site power seven times and had to rely on emergency diesel generators, which, as you know, are the last line of defense against a nuclear accident.”
