Latest news with #Halushchenko
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine seeks US support in regaining control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, joint energy projects
Ukraine seeks U.S. support in regaining control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and launching joint energy projects, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said on April 16, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform reported. "We have a common interest with the United States to bring the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant under Ukrainian control and start the operation of this nuclear power plant," Halushchenko said at an Atlantic Council discussion. "It can bring new opportunities for cooperation between us, for example, when it comes to electricity exports." The plant, the largest in Europe and among the top 10 worldwide, has been under Russian occupation since the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Halushchenko suggested that restarting the plant could play a key role in Ukraine's long-term reconstruction. "We will need more electricity for any project that may be implemented in Ukraine, together with the U.S. We need more electricity to rebuild the country on a large scale," he added. The minister also emphasized that allowing Russia to maintain control of the plant would be a "total disaster" for global nuclear safety. "If we allow the Russians to keep control of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, even without resuming its operations, it will be a total disaster for everything the world has achieved in the development of peaceful atom." Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Halushchenko also raised alarm over repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and their implications for nuclear security. Since August 2024, over 150 incidents have been recorded in which Russian missiles or drones flew near or over Ukraine's nuclear sites, including Zaporizhzhia. Though a narrower agreement was reached on March 25 to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure, that truce has largely failed to hold. Both Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of violating the energy ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump floated the idea of joint U.S.-Ukrainian ownership of Ukraine's nuclear plants during a March 19 call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling it the best protection for Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Russia has rejected any possibility of transferring control or entering into joint operations. On March 25, the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that the plant is "a Russian facility" and ruled out its return to Ukraine or cooperation with third parties. Russia continues to claim ownership of the plant based on its illegal annexation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast in 2022, even though Ukraine retains control over the regional center and large parts of the territory. The annexation followed staged referendums widely condemned by the international community. Read also: Putin praises Musk as visionary, likens him to Soviet-era space icon Korolov We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bulgaria ready to sell Ukraine reactors for Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant: decision in works
Bulgaria is preparing a decision at the government level to sell Ukraine reactors for its Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Source: a Ukrainian news outlet, citing Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) on Friday 14 March Details: Halushchenko noted that 10 March was the final day to report to the Bulgarian parliament on the outcome of the negotiations. "Thanks to the constructive part of the Verkhovna Rada, which backed the relevant draft law, we were able to hold negotiations in Bulgaria. And the relevant report was submitted to the parliament," the minister said. "The previous report, submitted to parliament in 2024, stated that Ukraine had shown no interest in implementing this project, following which we requested an extension of the permission for negotiations," Halushchenko said. He stressed that this time, the report confirmed Ukraine's interest and outlined the scope of the agreement. "Now, a decision will be made at the governmental level in Bulgaria regarding the conclusion of the agreement, which will detail all aspects," the minister said. Background: On 11 February, Ukrainian MPs approved a bill allowing Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy regulator, to purchase Russian-made reactors from Bulgaria for the Khmelnytskyi NPP. Commenting on the law's adoption, MP Andrii Zhupanyn noted that the document only approves the purchase of reactors, thus limiting the project's cost to US$600 million. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on the purchase of equipment for Khmelnytskyi NPP units Nos 3 and 4 from Bulgaria. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iceland allocates over $2 million to support Ukrainian energy sector
Iceland will allocate over 2 million euros ($2.17 million) to Ukraine's Energy Support Fund, the Energy Ministry reported on March 11. This will bring Iceland's total contributions to Ukraine's energy sector to more than 5.6 million euros ($6.09 million) thus far. According to Ukraine's Energy Ministry, Iceland made four tranches of contributions between 2023 and 2024. The funds have been used to buy equipment for energy companies in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Herman Halushchenko, Ukraine's Energy Minister, stressed the importance of contributions like these for returning light and heat to the homes of Ukrainians, and for restoring infrastructure that was damaged by Russian attacks. 'Each contribution of partners to the Energy Support Fund of Ukraine is extremely important,' Halushchenko said. 'We are grateful to Iceland for its support and another contribution to Ukraine's energy sustainability.' The Icelandic parliament, Althing, adopted a resolution on long-term assistance for Ukraine from 2024 to 2028. The resolution aims to support the independence, sovereignty, borders, the safety of civilians, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction work in Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine's DTEK gas production facilities shut down after Russian attack We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russians attack Ukraine's gas and energy infrastructure
Russia has conducted a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure on the night of 6-7 March. Facilities in various Ukrainian oblasts have been targeted. Source: Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko Details: Halushchenko said the attack had aimed at destroying energy facilities in different Ukrainian oblasts. Energy and gas supply infrastructure was damaged in the strikes. Quote: "Ukraine's energy and gas infrastructure in various oblasts is once again under large-scale missile and drone attack. Where possible, rescue workers and power technicians are dealing with the aftermath. All necessary measures are being taken to stabilise energy and gas supply." Details: Halushchenko urged Ukrainians to stay in shelters due to the threat of further attacks and to follow official updates on the energy system state. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia launches missile attack targeting critical infrastructure in various regions of Ukraine
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russian forces launched missiles at various regions of Ukraine overnight on March 7, targeting energy and gas infrastructure across the country, Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said. Halushchenko did not immediately say where critical infrastructure has been hit but noted "rescuers and energy workers" are on-scene to provide emergency restoration work. Russia initially launched a series of missiles around 4 a.m. local time targeting various regions in the country's far-west. A second series of missiles entered Ukrainian airspace around 6 a.m. Explosions were reported in the western city of Ternopil around 5 a.m. local time, following the first series of attacks, Suspilne reported. Later in the morning, explosions were heard in the front line city of Kharkiv around 6:30 a.m. Air defenses were active in all regions of Ukraine amid the missile threats. No information was immediately available as to the extent of the damage or whether there are any casualties. Russia has regularly launched missiles targeting various regions of the country. Russian forces have continuously targeted Ukraine's critical infrastructure as Russia continues to test Ukrainian resolve in the harsh winter months. Amid the U.S. pause on sharing intelligence with Kyiv, the New York Times reported on March 5, citing undisclosed U.S. and Ukrainian officials that the pause affects warnings against Russian drones and missiles striking Ukrainian military and civilian targets. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, US delegations to meet next week, Zelensky announces We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
