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IAEA chief hopes to return to Ukraine 'soon' over nuclear plant talks

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Rafael Grossi (pictured), chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Tuesday (18 October) that he expects to return to Ukraine "soon". This was in spite of negotiations to create a security zone around Zaporizhzhia's nuclear power plant.

Grossi was the intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv to establish a zone of nuclear safety and security around the plant. The site has been affected by power outages over the past few weeks as a result of shelling.

The IAEA stated earlier that it was deeply concerned about the detention of two Ukrainian employees from Zaporizhzhia, which is located in one of the four Ukrainian regions Russia claims to have annexed, but only partially occupies.

During a visit to Argentina, he said that there is a possibility that he will return to Ukraine or Russia.

"This means that I get answers and responses from both sides. I am always looking for new ways of moving forward. I will probably have to return at some point.

These talks are key to defusing the concerns that have been mounting since August regarding the risk of shelling near Zaporizhzhia (Europe's largest nuclear power plant), and other potential threats. Both Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the shelling.

The IAEA, UN's nuclear watchdog, stated that while separate Russian threats to use nukes in Ukraine cannot be ruled out, it was not an "immediate possibility".

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"I do not believe Russia could use nuclear weapons immediately. He stated that while nothing can be ruled out, he is not part of the decision-making process for that country. However, he believes that such a move would be extreme.

Grossi was asked about the ongoing talks to revive an Iran nuclear deal. He said the negotiations are at a "stalemate" and that the IAEA had no key information because of restrictions on inspections in recent weeks.

Last week, the United States stated that reviving 2015 Iran's nuclear agreement was "not our current focus", adding that Tehran had shown little interest in the pact being revived and that Washington was focusing on how to support Iranian protesters.

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