Ukraine's international partners confirmed financial commitments of 303 million euros for restoration of the New Safe Confinement at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025. The amount increased compared to preliminary results of the donors' conference in Paris, when 278 million euros were reported.
The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reported this on November 10. The final results of the conference were also confirmed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The high-level conference took place on November 9 in Paris. It was organized by the governments of Ukraine and France together with the EBRD. Representatives of 34 states and international organizations attended the event. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Energy Anatolii Kutsevol.
Following the negotiations, 14 countries and international organizations committed to transfer a total of 303 million euros for restoration of the protective structure. The funds will be directed to the International Chernobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA), managed by the EBRD.
Among the main participants in funding are the European Union, Germany, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland, Lithuania, Austria and other partners. Greece, Moldova and the Netherlands announced their intention to make their own contributions in the coming months.
The EBRD clarified that the announced amounts represent financial commitments of donors, not funds already fully transferred or used for repairs. New contributions will supplement funding previously received into the international account.
Full restoration of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant protective arch will require about 500 million euros. This preliminary estimate was presented by First Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during his online address at the conference.
Thus, current donor commitments cover a significant portion of the preliminary estimated costs. However, the final cost of the project is still unknown. The EBRD explains that more precise calculations will appear after completion of engineering surveys and determination of the extent of damage.
The New Safe Confinement is a large arched structure installed over the destroyed fourth reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Its main function is to isolate radioactive materials from the environment and ensure safe dismantling of the old sarcophagus.
On February 14, 2025, a Russian drone damaged the protective structure. According to the EBRD, the strike affected about 200 square meters of panels, and a hole of approximately 15 square meters appeared in the cladding.
As a result, two main functions of the confinement were disrupted: isolation of radioactive materials and ensuring safe dismantling of structures of the damaged reactor.
International experts warn that restoration must be completed before the cladding damage leads to prolonged corrosion of the steel structures of the protective arch.
Temporary repair works at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant are already ongoing. In March 2026, donors approved funding of up to 30 million euros for preliminary engineering activities and procurement.
According to the EBRD plan, these works will allow preparation of a more precise cost estimate by the end of 2027. The main restoration stage is planned to start in early 2028 and be completed by the end of 2030.
French Economy Minister Roland Lescure expressed hope that international partners will be able to assemble the necessary funding by spring 2027.
In his turn, Denys Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine will continue working to attract new donors. He also stated his intention to seek compensation for restoration costs using Russian assets.
The International Chernobyl Cooperation Account will remain open for additional financial commitments during the first half of 2027.
