The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is considered to be a Ukrainian facility, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said tonight.
Moscow seized control of the plant in southern Ukraine in March, shortly after invading Ukraine, but Ukrainian staff continues to operate it.
Shelling and damage near the site, which both Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for, have caused concerns over the safety of the plant.
On Wednesday, Vladimir Putin signed a decree declaring that Russia was taking over the plant. However, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said it considered Mr Putin’s decree “null and void”.
Rafael Grossi today visited Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.
He said: “This is a matter that has to do with international law … we want the war to stop immediately, and of course, the position of the IAEA is that this facility is a Ukrainian facility.”
He was due to travel to Moscow for talks to meet Russian officials following his talks in the Ukrainian capital.