As part of the Regional Conference of the FIRST Programme for Central, Eastern and Southern European countries on the development of nuclear energy, held in Budapest, First Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Artem Nekrasov held a meeting with the U.S. delegation led by Shona Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Security Assistance Programs at the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of Ukrainian-American cooperation, the results of joint initiatives under the FIRST Programme and further practical steps.

Artem Nekrasov thanked the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of State for their consistent support for Ukraine, in particular for enabling Ukrainian specialists to participate in the FIRST Programme and supporting the development of relevant professional competencies.

“For Ukraine, it is important that through the FIRST Programme we have the opportunity to engage international expertise, develop our own capabilities and systematically assess future prospects. This helps establish the necessary foundation for further decisions and projects,” the First Deputy Minister of Energy noted.

Particular attention during the meeting was paid to the implementation of the Phoenix and Hephaestus projects, which envisage the participation of Ukrainian representatives in the regional SPRING initiative.

In addition, the First Deputy Minister of Energy briefed the U.S. side on the current situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which remains the most acute nuclear safety issue in Ukraine. Since the occupation of the ZNPP in March 2022, 27 instances of a complete loss of off-site power have been recorded at the plant, including 15 in 2026.

Artem Nekrasov stressed that sustainable nuclear and radiation safety at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant can only be ensured following the complete demilitarisation of the plant and its return to the full control of Ukraine and its legitimate operator, NAEK “Energoatom”. Any attempts to resume the plant’s operation under occupation are unacceptable and pose risks to nuclear safety.

The First Deputy Minister of Energy stressed that Ukraine is interested in further developing its partnership with the United States in the field of new nuclear technologies and their application to strengthen energy security and ensure the long-term transformation of Ukraine’s energy sector.

“Ukraine is interested in further developing modern nuclear energy and strengthening energy resilience. At the same time, all further decisions must be based on compliance with the highest standards of nuclear safety, physical protection and non-proliferation,” Artem Nekrasov added.

The U.S. side expressed interest in further developing bilateral cooperation and continuing engagement under the FIRST Programme.