Yuzhnoukreinsk, Ukraine: Although he insisted it was a difficult negotiation, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog expressed optimism on Monday that a safe zone agreement around the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia plant in Ukraine would be reached.

The plant, the largest in Europe since the Soviet era, was captured by the Russian army shortly after it invaded Ukraine in March. It has been criticized on several occasions in recent months, raising fears of a nuclear holocaust.

During a visit to Ukraine, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, told reporters that "the situation around the plant remains very dangerous." No one would want a nuclear accident or an accident with significant radiological consequences.

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Grossi said he expected to meet with Ukraine's president, its prime minister, energy minister and others in Kyiv this week. Regarding the upcoming meetings, he expressed "great optimism", adding that he would work to reduce "the potential for nuclear catastrophe".

He acknowledged that talks on a security zone were taking longer than he expected, but pointed out that the effort was being made amid clashes between the opposing sides. Asked how Russia would accept a security zone, he replied that he was in the middle of a challenging negotiation.

I'm trying to convince everyone that it's not, but nobody wants the zone if it's seen as a military advantage for one side or the other.

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Grossi was making his sixth visit to the country since the invasion in February, to meet recently announced plans for the continued presence of nuclear security experts at all of Ukraine's nuclear facilities.

They visited the South Ukraine plant, which is located about 350 kilometers (220 mi) south of Kyiv, to set up a two-person team of IAEA experts at each facility. He also planned to visit the plants in Chernobyl and Rivne.

According to the IAEA, there are currently up to four experts permanently stationed in Zaporizhzhya, and a two-person team is also anticipated at the Khmelnitsky plant.

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Last week, Grossi said talks with Kyiv and Moscow had become more difficult because it involved not only diplomats but also military officials. Grossi previously expressed hope of striking a deal before the end of 2022. Moscow and Kyiv have both claimed responsibility for the shelling of the Zaporizhia building.