U.K. backs Ukraine nuclear fuel supply

Shapps’s visit comes just two months after the United Kingdom hosted the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, where international commitments for the beleaguered Eastern European state’s recovery and reconstruction topped $60 billion. On the sidelines of the conference, the U.K. government also agreed to a memorandum of understanding committing support to Ukraine’s energy sector and green energy future.

Official words: “Our support for Ukraine is unwavering in the face of Putin’s barbaric invasion—the U.K. continues to stand with Ukraine as they repel Russian attacks and rebuild their country,” Shapps declared. “Being here on the ground, it’s truly remarkable witnessing firsthand the sheer courage, resolve, and gritty determination of the Ukrainian people. Putin has used energy as a weapon of war: The action today to support nuclear fuel deliveries will help Ukraine end their reliance on Russian supplies and bolster their energy security.”

Urenco chief executive officer Boris Schucht noted that since the start of the Russian invasion in February of last year, his company has “provided support to our customer, Energoatom, and its employees, and increased our supply of nuclear enrichment services to help provide energy independence and security of supply in Ukraine.”

Schucht also said that Urenco is discussing longer-term supply with Energoatom and has “the capacity to meet current demand for uranium enrichment services and options to increase this to provide an enhanced offering globally.”