For more than two decades, Westinghouse has been a trusted partner in Ukraine's energy sector. At the 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), held June 25–26 in Gdańsk, Poland, Westinghouse once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine's recovery, strengthening its energy security and advancing its long-term economic development.
Westinghouse’s Dan Lipman President of Global Business Initiatives and Elias Gedeon Senior Vice President of APX Commercial Contracts
The fifth annual URC brought together global leaders, policymakers, financial institutions and industry partners united in their commitment to Ukraine's reconstruction and resilience.
Representing Westinghouse at the conference, Dan Lipman, President of Global Business Initiatives, emphasized that the company's partnership with Ukraine is built not only to address today's challenges, but to also create lasting value for generations to come.
Strengthening Partnership in Times of Crisis
Following Russia's invasion in 2022, Westinghouse moved swiftly to accelerate its support for Ukraine's nuclear energy sector. Recognizing the urgency of reducing dependence on Russian nuclear fuel, the company accelerated the development and deployment of its VVER-440 fuel program, completing the first fuel delivery to Rivne Nuclear Power Plant in 2023.
"When the war began in 2022, we immediately recognized the urgent need to accelerate the reinstatement of our VVER-440 fuel program and provide Ukraine with a reliable alternative to Russian fuel sooner than originally planned," said Aziz Dag, Westinghouse Senior Vice President of APX Project Development. "Through an extraordinary collaborative effort, we completed the entire process in just one and a half years in response to the unprecedented circumstances facing Ukraine."
This achievement was made possible through close cooperation with Energoatom, Ukraine's national nuclear energy company, leveraging parallel development, licensing, manufacturing and delivery processes. By 2028, Ukraine is expected to become the first country in the world to operate all its VVER reactors exclusively on Westinghouse fuel.
In parallel, the partners are advancing plans to establish nuclear fuel assembly capabilities within Ukraine. This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening domestic energy production, enhancing energy security, and creating high-value employment opportunities.
"We have taken our fuel supply partnership to the next level through our agreement to develop fuel assembly capabilities in Ukraine," Aziz Dag stated. "This initiative will not only strengthen Ukraine's energy independence but also create skilled jobs and support long-term economic growth."
Ukraine as a Strategic Nuclear Partner
Ukraine's role within the global nuclear industry has evolved significantly over the past several years. With one of the world's most experienced nuclear workforces and a strong industrial base, Ukraine is increasingly viewed not simply as a customer, but as a strategic technology and manufacturing partner.
Ukraine's decades-long experience operating Westinghouse VVER-1000 and VVER-440 fuel, combined with its capability to manufacture nuclear-grade components, positions the country to play a vital role in Europe's nuclear renaissance. As new AP1000® projects move forward across the continent, Ukrainian expertise and industrial capabilities will become an important contributor to their success.
Westinghouse’s Katie Strangis, Miroslaw Kowalik, Dan Lipman and Elias Gedeon meeting with Oksana Markarova the former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States
Building the Future with AP1000 Technology and Local Manufacturing
Westinghouse's commitment to Ukraine extends far beyond fuel supply. The company and Energoatom are working together to deploy nine AP1000 reactors in Ukraine, beginning with Units 5 and 6 at the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant.
A cornerstone of this effort is Westinghouse's "Buy Where We Build" philosophy, which focuses on engaging local suppliers, helping them meet international nuclear quality standards and integrating them into the company's global supply chain.
The impact extends well beyond Ukraine. As Ukrainian companies become qualified suppliers within the Westinghouse ecosystem, they will gain opportunities to support AP1000 projects across Europe and around the world. This includes significant potential collaboration with Poland as it develops its AP1000 fleet over the coming decade.
Enhancing Nuclear Safety and Resilience
Westinghouse's support for Ukraine also includes advancing safety enhancements across the country's operating nuclear fleet.
Drawing on lessons learned from the Fukushima Daiichi accident, Westinghouse has worked closely with Energoatom to implement advanced safety solutions, including a passive heat removal system for Rivne's VVER-440 reactors. The system is designed to remove heat from containment in the event of a complete loss of power – a capability that is particularly important given the ongoing threats to Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Building on this success, Westinghouse has developed a similar solution for Ukraine's VVER-1000 reactors, further strengthening the safety, reliability and resilience of the country's nuclear fleet.
Supporting a Regional Vision for Energy Security
Ukraine's importance within Westinghouse's strategy extends beyond national borders. As countries across Central and Eastern Europe accelerate efforts to strengthen energy security and diversify away from Russian energy sources, Westinghouse sees Ukraine as a key participant in a growing regional AP1000 ecosystem.
With AP1000 projects underway or under consideration in Poland, Bulgaria, Sweden, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Finland and Slovenia, the emergence of a large European AP1000® fleet offers opportunities for greater efficiencies, shared expertise and regional supply chain integration.
Ukraine is uniquely positioned to serve as a center of nuclear excellence – contributing engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities and innovation that will support the next generation of clean energy projects across Europe.
A Partnership Built for the Long Term
From ensuring secure fuel supplies during wartime to advancing next-generation reactor deployment, domestic fuel manufacturing and regional supply chain development, Westinghouse's participation at URC2026 reflects a longstanding commitment to Ukraine's future.
As Ukraine continues its journey toward greater energy independence, economic recovery and long-term prosperity, Westinghouse remains a trusted partner – working alongside the country to help build a safer, more secure and more sustainable energy future.
