Ukraine awaiting Bulgaria’s response on refusal to sell Russian-made reactors

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukraine said on Wednesday that it has not received an official response from Bulgaria over the suspension of the sale of two Russia-made nuclear reactors.

Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov on Tuesday said the nuclear reactors at the Belene Nuclear Power Plant will not be sold to Ukraine, saying they are critical to its energy security and economic independence.

Ukraine’s national public broadcaster Suspilne quoted the Energy Ministry as saying that it has not received an official response from Sofia, adding that any comments were premature.

The ministry said Ukraine is interested in purchasing equipment to complete the two power units of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant in accordance with a parliamentary decision, calling it important for energy security.

"We are convinced that the agreement on the purchase of equipment is mutually beneficial for both countries," the ministry said.

In July 2023, Bulgaria’s parliament asked its energy minister to conduct negotiations with its Ukrainian counterpart for the purchase of the two reactors, originally intended to be used at the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which was abandoned in 2012.

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved a plan in February to purchase the reactors for the expansion of the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.

The plant, located near the city of Netishyn in the western Khmelnytskyi region, currently has two working reactors and is one of three operational nuclear power plants in Ukrainian control.