While strikes and clashes are intensifying in the vicinity of Europe's largest nuclear plant, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg considered it necessary for the IAEA to

conduct an "urgent inspection" at the Zaporeggia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, which is controlled by Russia

During a press conference, Stoltenberg said that Russian military seizure of the site "poses a serious threat to security and increases the risk of a nuclear accident that it is necessary to allow IAEA to conduct an inspection and ensure the withdrawal of all Russian troops."

The strikes, which had recently targeted the plant and raised fears of a nuclear disaster, led to a meeting of the United Nations Security Council last week.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi demanded that a mission be sent to the site "as soon as possible" for inspection.

Russia accused the United Nations community of preventing the IAEA from completing its mission. Ukraine, for its part, also opposed this task, arguing that it would "legitimize the Russian occupation of the site in the eyes of the international community".

On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Russian troops to withdraw from the Zaporeggia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, stressing the "risks" its presence poses to the safety of the site.