During a visit to Kyiv, State Secretary for Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Eivind Vad Petersson announced an allocation of NOK 100 million (approximately EUR 9.1 million) for the restoration of the New Safe Confinement (NSC), which covers the destroyed Unit 4 of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Shelter Object.

The NSC Arch was damaged as a result of a Russian drone strike in February 2025. According to preliminary estimates by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the restoration works may cost approximately EUR 500 million.

The funding will be provided through the International Chornobyl Cooperation Account (ICCA), which is administered by the EBRD. Norway’s contribution is being made under the Nansen Support Programme, a civilian and military assistance programme for Ukraine with a total budget of NOK 75 billion for the period 2023–2027.

“Russia’s war of aggression causes harm not only to the people of Ukraine and its critical infrastructure. These attacks also pose a threat to European and international security. Norway will continue its efforts to prevent the risk of radioactive releases and to ensure the continued safe operation of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant,” said Eivind Vad Petersson.

The Norwegian Embassy emphasized that Norway is working closely with the Ukrainian nuclear safety authorities on damage assessment, development of the regulatory framework, and licensing of the activities required to restore the confinement.

For decades, Norway has remained one of Ukraine’s key international partners in the field of nuclear safety, particularly in relation to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. In total, Norway has already contributed EUR 10.3 million to the ICCA and is currently among the fund’s largest donors.

“Norway pays special attention to activities related to mitigating the consequences of the Chornobyl accident, as the 1986 disaster resulted in significant radioactive contamination of Norwegian territory, the effects of which are still felt today. This serves as a reminder that radiation knows no borders.

We are currently engaged in active cooperation with our Norwegian partners. At the end of April, I had the honour of speaking at a conference in Oslo dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl accident. We discussed the current challenges facing the site, the consequences of the drone attack on the NSC, and the critical need to complete the restoration of the facility by 2030. I am grateful to our partners for their willingness to assist and support this important project,” commented Serhii Tarakanov, Director General of the SSE Chornobyl NPP.