Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi speaks during his interview with The Associated Press, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Feb 6, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

VIENNA - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi said on Monday that he plans to travel to Russia on Tuesday for high-level talks over ensuring nuclear safety in Ukraine.

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The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine "continues to be very fragile," Grossi told a press conference on the sidelines of a meeting of the IAEA board of governors, adding that the plant's safety is "of tremendous importance in terms of international peace and security."

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Grossi said he expects to discuss with Russian officials the technical issues related to the "future operational status" of the ZNPP.

The IAEA chief said that it is important to maintain high-level dialogues with both Russia and Ukraine.

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Earlier on Monday, Grossi told the IAEA board meeting that the situation at the ZNPP "continues to be very precarious," as the plant recently suffered its eighth total loss of off-site power since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and it continues to face challenges related to staffing.