On April 26, 2026, a day of profound historical significance marking the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl tragedy, Ukraine and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed a landmark memorandum of understanding. The agreement, which aims to expand technical support and foster comprehensive cooperation in the development of nuclear energy, was officially announced by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine. The document was signed in Kyiv by the Head of the Ministry of Energy, Denys Shmyhal, and the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi.
The new memorandum outlines strategic collaboration across several pivotal areas vital for the future of Ukraine’s energy sector. These key directions include the institutional restructuring of Energoatom, the facilitation of the construction of new power units (specifically at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant), and thorough preparations for the introduction of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Furthermore, the agreement emphasizes the critical need to restore electrical grid infrastructure directly tied to nuclear safety and to modernize both operational nuclear power plants and the Chornobyl exclusion zone facilities.
During the high-level meeting, Rafael Grossi presented the Ukrainian side with a unique IAEA methodology concerning the operation of nuclear power plants during wartime. This groundbreaking document, synthesized from Ukraine’s unprecedented real-world experience, is expected to serve as a foundational pillar for global best practices, helping to prevent potential nuclear disasters in conflict zones worldwide.
“Systemic cooperation with the IAEA allows us not only to restore damaged infrastructure but also to lay a solid foundation for the modernization and development of Ukraine’s nuclear energy in accordance with the best international practices,” emphasized Denys Shmyhal.
In addition to strategic planning and technical methodologies, the Head of the Ministry of Energy expressed deep gratitude to the IAEA for practical, life-saving assistance. Specifically, the Agency handed over two state-of-the-art ambulances intended for the Pivdennoukrainsk and Chornobyl nuclear power plants. This donation will significantly strengthen the emergency response capabilities of these critical facilities.
“I thank Rafael Grossi for his visit on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster and for all the enduring support provided,” Shmyhal added.
Today, the world collectively remembers the catastrophic events of 1986, widely regarded as the most devastating technogenic disaster of the 20th century. The explosion at the fourth power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant released a massive amount of radioactive material into the environment—an impact equivalent to the force of 500 bombs dropped on Hiroshima. Four decades later, honoring the memory of the victims and liquidators, Ukraine and the IAEA are working tirelessly to ensure that such a catastrophe is never repeated, cementing a future where nuclear energy is safe, innovative, and secure.