Chornobyl arch: donors raise €278 million in Paris out of at least €500 million needed

International donors on Monday, 9 November, confirmed commitments of €278 million in Paris to repair the arch covering reactor 4 of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. The money comes from 15 contributors, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad announced at the close of the conference, adding that further contributions could still follow, according to RTS.

The figures. France increased its contribution by €30 million to a total of €40 million, of which €10 million had already been allocated to preliminary studies, French Economy Minister Roland Lescure announced, as quoted by Ukrinform. Switzerland pledged €2 million, RTS reports. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) estimates the cost of full restoration at no less than €500 million, meaning at least €222 million still has to be raised, according to Ukrinform.

Context. A Russian drone struck the New Safe Confinement on 14 February 2025, breaching both the outer and inner cladding and damaging critical systems, Interfax-Ukraine reports. The structure, completed in 2019, has a design life of 100 years. In April, the EU, France and the United Kingdom approved €30 million for the preparatory phase, and in October the G7 countries announced their intention to allocate €260 million after the finance ministers' meeting in Bangkok. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso warned that if the arch is not restored to working order, there is a risk of a very serious accident.

What comes next. According to the EBRD, repairs must be completed by 2030 to limit corrosion of the steel arch. Lescure said the money must be raised by next spring. The conference was co-chaired by France, Ukraine and the EBRD; Ukraine's Deputy Energy Minister Anatolii Kutsevol, who attended in Paris, said he was confident the full amount would be raised.

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