France pledges €40 million to repair Chornobyl nuclear plant's protective shelter

France is allocating €40 million to restore the protective shelter, often called the "arch", over the Chornobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The structure was damaged by a Russian drone in 2025. French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad announced the pledge on X, as reported by the Ukrainian outlet European Pravda.

Haddad said France is joining forces with Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to ensure the arch is repaired. According to him, more than €278 million has been raised for the work in total, thanks to France's efforts during its G20 presidency.

The minister stressed that the initiative helps protect people and preserve nuclear safety across the European continent. He added that France's support for Ukraine will not weaken and that Ukraine's security is also France's security.

State of the funding

The EBRD had earlier said it was short by €500 million for emergency repairs to the shelter at the Chornobyl plant. In October, G7 countries allocated €260 million for the structure, which is more than half of the amount the bank considers necessary for the restoration.

A conference on the issue took place in Paris on 9 November, organised by France, Ukraine and the EBRD. Its aim was to give momentum to raising additional funds.