26 April 2026 16:17 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission says EU commits to Chornobyl recovery and Ukraine support

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European Commission says EU will enable urgent Chornobyl repairs and support nuclear safety in Ukraine
European Commission notes EU funding: €1 billion since 1991 for nuclear safety; close to €200 billion since the war began and €90 billion more planned

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European Commission says the EU will enable urgent Chornobyl repairs, continue nuclear safety support for Ukraine, and provides large financial assistance while stating Russia will be held accountable.

Original text

European Commission - Speech Remarks by Commissioner Dombrovskis at International Conference on Chornobyl Recovery and Nuclear Safety Kyiv, 26 April 2026 President Zelensky, President Sandu, President Renaud-Basso, Director General Grossi, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine has remained unwavering. The disaster which happened here 40 years ago carried radioactive material far beyond Ukraine. It remains the worst nuclear accident in history, affecting thousands of lives. I would like to express my deep gratitude for the sacrifice of countless people who helped shield the world from an even greater catastrophe. Among those liquidators, almost 20,000 were conscripted from the then occupied Baltic States. We honour all of them here today. The EU has been at the forefront of the international effort to address the legacy of the Chornobyl disaster. And to support nuclear safety in Ukraine more broadly. The EBRD has played a leading role. And the EU has been a major donor. Since 1991, it has provided more than €1 billion in nuclear safety assistance to Ukraine, including more than a quarter of the total funding to construct the New Safe Confinement. Forty years later, Russia's reckless attacks have undermined these efforts. The damage we see here in Chornobyl risks having disastrous consequences for us all. Make no mistake – Russia will be held accountable. But waiting for this is not an option. We must now enable urgent repairs upon which our own safety depends. And the EU will play its part in this joint exercise. More broadly, since the start of the war, we have already provided close to €200 billion in support to Ukraine. And we will deliver a further €90 billion this year and next, which will include support for Ukraine's energy sector. Our assistance is not just an act of solidarity. It is an investment in confronting this imminent danger and building a more secure Europe for all. Thank you. SPEECH/26/890

European Commission says EU commits to Chornobyl recovery and Ukraine support

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