UK to finance uranium deal with Ukraine 'to isolate Putin'

Grant Shapps met with German Galushchenko (right), Ukraine's energy minister and his deputy Yaroslav Demchenkov (left)

Britain finances deal on uranium enrichment to help Ukraine run its nuclear power plants over the winter and further «isolate» Vladimir Putin.

The new deal, announced on Wednesday, sees Downing Street guarantee a £192m loan in a bid to reduce minimize future power outages. in Ukraine in the coming months.

It will facilitate the supply of more enriched uranium from UK-headquartered Urenco to Ukraine's Energoatom, which operates 15 power plants in the country.

The move comes after Russian troops deliberately attacked energy supplies to Ukraine as part of a full-scale invasion.

Grant Shapps, Energy Security Minister, made a surprise trip to Ukraine earlier this week where he saw damage to a nuclear power plant from a Russian attack.

Grant Shapps visited Ukraine earlier this week, where he saw damage to a nuclear power plant by Russian troops. Credit: UK Government/PA Wire

In an article in The Telegraph, he explained why he thinks the financial deal would help confront the Russian president, given that it would make Ukraine less dependent on Russian energy sources.

He wrote: «Ukrainians braved a flurry of power outages last winter, never knowing if the lights would stay on or if they could keep their homes warm.» in sub-zero temperatures.

“We supported them in their refurbishment – ​​and today we are taking things even further, paving the way for a £192m nuclear fuel financing agreement.

“This will bolster Ukraine’s energy security by supplying vital fuel for the country’s plant this coming winter. And that would further isolate Putin, ending their dependence on Russian supplies.

“We should all be proud of the role the UK is playing in not only helping the Ukrainian military repel Putin’s forces, but also helping the country rebuild. Russia used energy as a weapon of war.”

Westminster continued to support Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion under successive Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

0101 A future without Russian gas

Given Ukraine's previous reliance on Russian energy imports and the Kremlin's willingness to target energy supplies during the war, Ukraine has faced a major challenge to keeping the light on, with controlled power outages enacted at some points to keep supplies going .

Nuclear power generates more than half of Ukrainian electricity, but in the past many plants used uranium enriched in Russia to function, which is now less possible.

The deal will allow Urenco to expand the supply of enriched uranium to Energoatom, whose business relations began in 2009.

Boris Shukht, CEO of Urenco, said: “We remain deeply concerned about developments in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the people suffering as a result of the conflict.

“Since the invasion began, we have provided support to our customer, Energoatom, and its employees, and increased our nuclear enrichment services to help ensure energy independence and security of supply to Ukraine.”

Mr. Shapps also met with Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for Recovery. Photo: UK Government/PA Wire

He added: “We are actively discussing long-term supplies with Energoatom and are ready to play our part in supporting their future. We have the capacity to meet the current demand for uranium enrichment services and the ability to scale it up to provide an expanded supply worldwide.

“The collaboration of governments such as the UK with this agreement is critical to facilitate this . as well as with customers and the entire nuclear industry, and we will continue to do our best to play a valuable role.”

Mr. Shapps became the last cabinet minister to visit Ukraine, following in the prime minister's footsteps; James Cleverly, Foreign Secretary; and Ben Wallace, Minister of Defense.

He met with PetroKotin, President of Energoatom, to discuss the deal, as well as Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction, and German Galushchenko, the country's Energy Minister . .

There are still concerns about the Zaporozhye power plant, Europe's largest power plant, located in Ukraine and controlled by the Russians.

At some points, fears have risen that the operation of the facility could be compromised amid reports of deliberate Russian attacks on the water sources that supply the power plant. It is not clear whether this was an attempt to influence control or a genuine attempt at disorganization.

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Mr Shapps was also one of the many politicians who accepted Ukrainian refugees after the invasion through the British government. A Home for Ukraine scheme.

Mr Shapps wrote of the disruption of the war: “I heard about this horrific ordeal firsthand from Snezhana Chaikina, her young son Nikita, and his grandmother Hanna, who stayed with my family under the Home for Ukraine scheme within a year of the invasion.

“They were living in Kiev when Putin launched the indiscriminate bombing and had to flee to a makeshift bomb shelter in their basement because of the explosions. shook the city.

«I can't overstate the impact that living with this extraordinary family and hearing their story has had on me and my family.»