Czech Republic says it is ready to help Ukraine gain its energy independence from Russia
The Czech Republic is ready to help Ukraine become an energy-secure country, as reported by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Pavel Belobradek, on Radio Liberty after a meeting with the Minister of Energy and Coal Mining of Ukraine, Ihor Nasalyk in Prague.
According to Belobradek, it is the main outcome of negotiations concerning Ukraine's energy security and cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.
"The energy issue is the exact tool that Russia uses to influence the political situation. At the same time, we would like the Ukrainian energy sector to be modernized, we can offer cybersecurity, we can provide our experience on nuclear energy security, and make it possible for Ukraine to join the European energy system and export electricity to the grid," noted Belobradek.
The Czech Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the Czech Republic, as a member of the European Union, has funds available for this project and the experience in using resources for these types of projects. In particular, Pavel Belobradek noted that “there are funds allocated to help Ukraine strengthen its energy independence from the US and the EU.”
"We want to participate in this both on the legal side, and with the help of our experience, thanks to our companies which have been very active in the nuclear energy sector," the Czech Deputy Prime Minister added.
According to Czech media, a number of the leaders of well-known energy, technology, and industrial firms and enterprises who are interested in cooperating with Ukraine took part in the negotiations with Ukrainian Minister Ihor Nasalyk.