The Bulgarian government has changed its mind about selling reactors for KhNPP to Ukraine
The Bulgarian government has changed its mind to sell to Ukraine two hulls of VVER-1000 nuclear reactors for the Khmelnytsky NPP, for which negotiations were ongoing. This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria Atanas Zafirov, informs News.
According to the official, the decision was agreed with the Council of Joint Management and the leader of the center-right GERB party Boyko Borisov.
“Together we supported this extremely important strategic choice,” Zafirov explained.
He stressed that the reactors will not be transferred, as they are considered a strategic asset necessary to ensure Bulgaria’s energy independence.
“Bulgaria has both the infrastructure and the expertise to develop this sector nationally, and selling the reactors would be a serious mistake.” – said the Deputy Prime Minister.
It will be recalled that in 2023, Ukraine and Bulgaria began negotiations on the sale of two Russian reactors of the VVER-1000 type, which were originally intended for the unfinished Belene nuclear power plant.
In February 2025, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Galushchenko expressed concern about the actions of pro-Russian political forces in Bulgaria, who submitted to the parliament a draft resolution on the cancellation of the permit for the sale of the specified equipment. The permit expired on March 11.
On April 14, People’s Deputy Andriy Zhupanyn noted that the negotiations are still ongoing, but they have been delayed due to Bulgaria’s intention to revise the value of the deal — from $600 million to almost $700 million.
