Germany to deposit EUR 50 mln into Intl Chornobyl Cooperation Account to fund containment restoration

Federal Minister for the Environment, Carsten Schneider, recently visited the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine as part of his visit to the country. Chornobyl is a stark reminder of the perils of nuclear energy, and the situation there has been further complicated by Russia's aggressive actions. A drone strike in February damaged the containment structure of the destroyed reactor, necessitating repairs to the protective shell.

Schneider declared that there is no alternative but to repair the shell, as significant amounts of radioactive material remain beneath the old sarcophagus, and the new shell must prevent any further release of this material into the environment. The repairs are expected to cost at least EUR 500 million, making it clear that Ukraine cannot manage this task alone.

Germany, which contributed significantly to the project's financing during its presidency of the G7 in 2015, will now push for international co-funding of the repairs. The minister emphasized that nuclear safety is a shared international responsibility and that Germany is committed to taking on this role.