Boris Shmelev, Director of Center for Comparative Political Studies

— Russia understands the difficulties of its neighbor

NNEGC Energoatom (Ukraine) has suggested revising the terms of its nuclear fuel supply contract with TVEL OJSC (part of Atomenergoprom OJSC). Vice President of Energoatom Olga Kravets has admitted that the company is failing to timely pay for the supplied fuel. “We are sure that the Ukrainian NPPs will be stably supplied with fuel despite this difficulties.”

The hard economic situation in Ukraine has seriously affected its solvency and the ability to pay for TVEL’s fuel, in particular. Once again we are witnessing a situation when Ukraine is unable to pay for the fuel supplied by the Russian company.

It is very important that Russia understands the difficulties of its neighbor and is not driving Ukraine into a stalemate. This is an expression of good will. And this disproves the allegations of some Ukrainian politicians that Russia is trying to put Ukraine under control. Russia is interested in the stable development of its neighbor. And its restraint in the matter confirms this policy.