France Announces G7 Talks on Chornobyl Nuclear Plant Repairs

France said G7 talks will address financing for repairs to the protective cover at Ukraine’s Chornobyl nuclear plant. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced the plan on Thursday. The talks took place on the sidelines of a G7 meeting in Vaux-de-Cernay, France.

Scope and cost

Ministers will discuss repair works estimated at about 500 million euros. That sum is roughly $576.30 million. The exchange rate cited was $1 = 0.8676 euros.

Barrot said the G7 must take a lead role in fundraising. He added the effort should be coordinated closely with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

EBRD involvement and next steps

Odile Renaud-Basso, president of the EBRD, is scheduled to attend the meeting’s second day on Friday. Barrot indicated this attendance underlines the bank’s coordinating role.

Delegates aim to align funding plans and technical support. The goal is to restore the protective shield’s safety functions.

Damage and safety concerns

The United Nations nuclear watchdog reported drone damage last year. That damage prevented the protective shield from performing its main safety function. Repairing that shield is central to the planned Chornobyl nuclear plant repairs.

Filmogaz.com reporting by John Irish and Gianluca Lo Nostro. Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta.