First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with French Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure. He expressed gratitude to the French partners for organising the “Energy Ramstein” in Paris and for important initiatives in support of Ukraine during France’s G7 presidency.

The meeting focused on specific solutions for Ukraine’s preparations for winter, priority projects in the nuclear sector and long-term energy cooperation initiatives. As the Minister of Energy noted, Ukraine is interested in cooperation on the protection of energy facilities and in French technologies for countering drones.

Particular attention was paid to nuclear energy and nuclear safety, including the restoration of the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. For Ukraine, France’s organisation of an event dedicated to Chornobyl NPP-related issues in November this year is also valuable.

As Denys Shmyhal noted, French partners have already contributed approximately €5.7 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. Ukraine has also received 50 shipments of humanitarian assistance from France, comprising 431.5 tonnes of critical equipment.

“We are particularly grateful for the grant support of more than €70 million for the restoration of critical infrastructure. We appreciate France’s support for Ukraine’s accession to the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. France remains a reliable partner and friend of Ukraine,” the Minister of Energy emphasised.