“photo ua.depositphotos.com A possible agreement between Ukraine and Bulgaria regarding the purchase of nuclear reactors for the Khmelnytsky nuclear power plant has important geopolitical significance. Stephen Blank, Sr. writes about this…”, — write: www.unian.ua
photo ua.depositphotos.comA possible agreement between Ukraine and Bulgaria regarding the purchase of nuclear reactors for the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant has important geopolitical significance. Stephen Blank, a senior fellow at the Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, writes about this in his column for the Atlantic Council entitled “Ukraine’s Nuclear Capabilities in the Fourth Year of War.”According to the author, the implementation of the agreement will not only strengthen the energy security of Ukraine, but also contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations with Bulgaria, which has long been under the pressure of Russian destabilization attempts. In the context of the war in Ukraine, which is entering its fourth year, this decision will also be a signal of unity and solidarity within the EU.
Blank notes that the agreement will allow Ukraine to complete the construction of two reactors at the Khmelnytskyi NPP, which will be able to significantly strengthen the country’s energy independence. Since Bulgaria is providing Soviet-made equipment that has not been used before, this also solves the problem of finding components to complete the construction of power units three and four.
The geopolitical value of the agreement lies in strengthening Ukraine’s position as part of the European energy space. The integration of the Ukrainian energy system with the EU is considered an important strategic step to strengthen European unity against the background of Russian aggression. Bulgaria, which also faces challenges from the Kremlin, strengthens its own resistance to external pressure in such a partnership.
However, Blank admits that the agreement is causing controversy within Ukraine. Critics question its transparency and emphasize the importance of decentralizing the energy system. But in the conditions of war, according to the author, this agreement remains the only realistic way to quickly increase the country’s nuclear generating capacity.
According to Blank, the completion of the project with Bulgaria can be an important step for Ukraine on the way to energy independence, strengthening the geopolitical stability of the region and integration into the European energy community.