IAEA chief in Ukraine to offer nuclear safety assistance

VIENNA

: International Atomic Energy Agency (

IAEA

) chief

Rafael Grossi

is in

Ukraine

for talks with senior government officials about ensuring the safety and security of its nuclear facilities, the

U.N.

nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday.

"This conflict is already causing unimaginable human suffering and destruction," said

Grossi

in a statement. "The IAEA's expertise and capabilities are needed to prevent it from also leading to a nuclear accident."

Grossi will also visit one of Ukraine's nuclear power plants this week.

He is expected to hold a news conference when he returns to Vienna later this week.