Bulgaria extends negotiations on selling nuclear reactors to Ukraine

The Bulgarian Parliament has decided to grant the government additional six months to conclude negotiations on the sale of two Russian nuclear reactors and associated equipment to Ukraine, according to Report, which cites Euractiv.

The reactors in question were delivered to Bulgaria by Russia's Atomstroyexport more than six years ago. However, they were deemed unfit for use after Bulgaria abandoned plans to construct the Belene Nuclear Power Plant. Negotiations with Ukraine, which have been ongoing for nearly two years, will only be finalized if the Bulgarian government secures an agreement with a price tag of at least €600 million, matching the sum paid by the Bulgarian National Electric Company to Atomstroyexport.

Experts from Ukraine's state-owned nuclear power plant operator, Energoatom, visited Bulgaria to inspect the equipment at the Belene Nuclear Power Plant. However, the ongoing military situation in Ukraine has impacted the negotiation process. The European Commission has previously acknowledged that the potential reactor sale could be financed using funds allocated by the EU for assisting Ukraine.