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States and international institutions pledge €278 million to repair the protective structure at Chernobyl

Riana Gegiu

9 November 2026, 14:58

International

Foto: Shutterstock.com

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States and international institutions gathered in Paris on Monday pledged 278 million euros to repair the protective structure of the destroyed reactor at the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was damaged last year by a Russian drone. The funds represent more than half of the amount needed to rebuild the structure.

France's Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, announced that the confirmed commitments came from 15 contributors and that the total amount could increase. Approximately 500 million euros are needed for the restoration.

The meeting was organized by the Ukrainian government together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Participants examined the technical assessments and restoration strategy, as well as existing international funding.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso warned that the work is essential for nuclear safety internationally. Without restoration, the risk of a serious accident, with effects comparable to those produced in 1986, remains real.

The reactor that exploded in April 1986 was then covered with a concrete sarcophagus. In 2016, a huge metal structure was installed over it, which was subsequently damaged in the drone attack.

Context: France raised the issue of repairing Chernobyl during its G7 presidency, and so far the G7 has raised only half of the necessary amount

Before the Paris conference, the organizers indicated that the protective structure had been damaged by a Russian drone in February 2025 and that the remaining approximately 500 million euros still needed to be raised, with the aim of completing the work by spring 2027. During the same period, the G7 countries had raised or pledged just over 260 million euros, or just over half of the estimated need.

The United States announced in April that it would unlock up to 100 million dollars for reconstruction and urged the other G7 countries to contribute, while France hosted the meeting as it holds the G7 presidency this year.