France has announced the allocation of an additional 30 million euros for the restoration of the protective arch of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025. The country's total contribution will increase to 40 million euros. At the same time, following the international donors' conference in Paris, financial commitments of 278 million euros were confirmed - slightly more than half of the amount needed for the repair of the structure.
The results of the conference, which took place on November 9, were announced by the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad.
According to the French Minister of Economy and Finance, Roland Lescure, Paris had previously already allocated 10 million euros for preparatory studies, and now adds another 30 million euros. Thus, the total amount of French assistance for the restoration of the protective structure will be 40 million euros.
The international conference was organized by the governments of France and Ukraine together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Its goal was to attract funding for the restoration of the New Safe Confinement - the protective structure over the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Following the meeting, 15 donors confirmed financial commitments totaling 278 million euros. These are international contributions confirmed at this time, not funds that have already been fully spent on repairs.
According to preliminary estimates by the EBRD, the full restoration of the protective arch will cost at least 500 million euros. Therefore, international partners need to attract around another 222 million euros.
The French side plans to continue working with international donors to secure the necessary funding by spring 2027. This will allow moving from preparatory studies to the main restoration works.
As the EBRD notes, the protective structure suffered serious damage on February 14, 2025, as a result of a Russian drone strike. The attack damaged the outer and inner cladding of the structure, as well as critically important engineering systems.
As a result, the arch's two main functions were compromised: the isolation of radioactive materials and ensuring the safe dismantling of the old sarcophagus, built after the 1986 accident.
The EBRD warns that the restoration works must be completed by 2030. Further delays pose a risk of corrosion of the metal structures and could shorten the planned centennial service life of the protective structure.
Benjamin Haddad stressed that international funding for the repair of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant matters not only for Ukraine, but for the nuclear safety of the entire European continent.
Previously, "Kurs Ukrainy" reported that the EBRD warned about a lack of funding for the full restoration of the protective structure of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The bank also emphasized the need to expand the circle of international donors, as the restoration works require significant investments.
Sources: Benjamin Haddad, BFMTV, EBRD
