Introduction
Russia has requested the U.N. nuclear watchdog to mediate with the United States regarding the handling of U.S. nuclear fuel stored at a Ukrainian power plant under Russian control.Context
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, once responsible for generating a fifth of Ukraine's electricity, is currently idle and located near one of the front lines of the ongoing conflict. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that restarting the facility is not feasible due to inadequate power supply and insufficient cooling water.Developments
Following a meeting with IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, Russian nuclear energy chief Alexei Likhachev indicated that Russia is open to either utilizing the fuel, which was supplied by U.S. company Westinghouse, or removing it entirely to return it to the United States. Concerns regarding intellectual property related to the nuclear fuel have been previously expressed by Westinghouse and U.S. energy officials.Grossi has confirmed that the IAEA is willing to act as a mediator in this situation. The ongoing conflict has led to mutual accusations of shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is the largest in Europe, heightening the potential for a significant nuclear incident.
Likhachev announced that Russia has devised a "comprehensive plan" for the phased recommissioning of the plant, contingent upon the removal of all military threats. The facility has been under Russian occupation since March 2022, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began, and its six reactors have not generated electricity since September 2022.