Sweden announces $2 million in aid to support Ukraine nuclear safety

The Government of Sweden announced Thursday its decision to grant 20 million Swedish kronor (almost two million euros) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support Ukraine's nuclear safety and secure the country's electricity supply following recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants.

"Sweden's support for Ukraine is resolute and long-term. As a result of Russia's aggression, we have seen several attacks in the vicinity of nuclear power plants over the past year; which poses very significant risks," Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell said in a statement.

In this regard, he has pointed out the need to reinforce "the important work" of the IAEA to maintain and improve the safety of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

You may be interested in: Leopard print fashion is all the rage in Ukraine.

According to the Swedish Executive, increased and improved safety in and around nuclear power plants will have a positive impact on Ukraine's electricity supply. "Fewer power cuts will mean that the Ukrainian people will be better able to cope with an already harsh winter," reads the missive.

Meanwhile, the Minister of International Development Cooperation has stressed that "Russia's continued aggression against Ukraine" has put the country's nuclear power plants "in grave danger". Thus, he has brought to the present that the IAEA has expressed its serious concern about the situation and, at Ukraine's request, has decided to expand its activities in the country to maintain nuclear safety.

"The Swedish government wishes to support and contribute to this. The financial contribution to the IAEA is one of many that Sweden has given to Ukraine," Forssell reiterated.