Zelenskyy again seeks to buy reactors for Khmelnytskyi NPP from Bulgaria: What we know

Ukraine is ready to continue cooperation with Bulgaria on purchasing power units for nuclear stations, Zelenskyy said, speaking at a joint press conference with Bulgaria’s acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, who arrived in Kyiv on an official visit.

«In my view, we are simply sending a signal that we are ready to continue cooperation on nuclear power units. Why? We have nuclear stations, everything has been calculated. This energy is relatively cheap and could help Ukrainians as well as support exports to other countries, including South-Eastern Europe and Moldova, which is currently experiencing a significant deficit. Today we cannot fully implement this — we lack capacity. At the same time, all the necessary infrastructure has already been built,» the president said.

In his view, the two power units, which could benefit both Ukraine and Bulgaria, generate revenue and help people, should be put into operation.

«However, the decision currently remains with the Bulgarian side. Of course, there are challenges and time limits for making this decision,» Zelenskyy concluded.

Bulgarian position

Gyurov acknowledged that the reactor purchase could be resolved, but said elections in Bulgaria must take place first.

«I do not think price is the main issue at the moment. The question is that, as you know, Bulgaria is expecting elections in three weeks, so our interim government’s main task is to prepare fair and honest elections. Of course, we are actively communicating with our energy partners. Here in Ukraine, we are discussing the possibility of transferring ownership of these reactors to Ukraine. At this moment, there is a parliamentary vote stating that any transfer of ownership must be approved by parliament,» he explained.