Kiriyenko forecasted that by year’s end, the two countries would be signing contracts for nuclear fuel delivery to Ukraine.

“I think that by the end of the year, we will agree on all issues and sign a long term contract on the delivery of nuclear fuel for Ukrainian nuclear power plants for the period up to 2010,” he said.

The third and fourth blocks of the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, as has already been agreed, be completed by Russia and the attraction of Russian organisatons for investment. But this is just part of a larger Ukrainian plan to develop nuclear power. The news agency Murman.ru reports that Ukraine is committed to building no fewer than 22 new reactors by 2030.

Russia also intends to earmark $17 million for the Chernobyl nuclear safety fund “Ukrytie,” or “Cover,” which will be used for increased radiation safety at the Chernobyl plant and it’s decommissioning.

In order for this to occur, a new sarcophagus for the destroyed fourth unit needs to be constructed. There are also plans to construct a storage unit for spent nuclear fuel for the first, second and third blocks, as well as completion of a factory for reprocessing solid radioactive waste.

Another $10 million was earmarked by Russia to help raise safety standards at the Armenian nuclear power state.