Ensuring nuclear safety and supporting the energy sector: German Galushchenko meets Austrian Ambassador Arad Benkö

Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine Arad Benkö.

The parties discussed cooperation at the international level to ensure nuclear safety. In particular, they discussed the importance of the working group “Presidential Peace Formula: Radiation and Nuclear Safety”, of which Austria is a member.

German Galushchenko informed the Ambassador that the eighth blackout had recently occurred at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which is occupied by russia.

“This is not about russia’s war against Ukraine, but about global nuclear safety. The russians do not control the situation at the plant, and at any moment a nuclear accident may occur there, the consequences of which will be felt not only by Ukraine and our neighbours, but also by many other European countries,” the Minister said.

The Minister thanked Austria for allocating EUR 1 million to support the IAEA mission in Ukraine and for its clear position and condemnation of nuclear blackmail by russia. The Minister also noted the importance of Austria’s assistance, including a EUR 10 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and the provision of energy equipment. Since the beginning of the war, a total of 12 cargoes weighing some 275 tonnes have been delivered.

The meeting also focused on deepening cooperation in the field of renewable energy and the development of distributed generation.