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Kyiv-Washington energy talks target US-built SMRs and non-Russian LNG corridors

by Roman Cheplyk
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
2 MIN
Kyiv-Washington energy talks target US-built SMRs and non-Russian LNG corridors

Ministers Herman Galushchenko and Chris Wright map out a dual-track plan: hardening Ukraine’s grid for winter 2025-26 while seeding long-term nuclear and gas diversification

What was agreed — at a glance

  • Nuclear portfolio

    • Deploy US fuel across all Ukrainian reactors to end residual Rosatom dependence.

    • Fast-track siting studies for Westinghouse AP1000 units at Khmelnytskyi NPP.

    • Set up a joint taskforce on small modular reactors (SMRs) for industrial clusters and district heating.

  • Gas & LNG security

    • Explore LNG swap routes via Polish and Croatian terminals, backed by US traders.

    • Assess capacity upgrades on the Slovakia-Ukraine interconnector for winter 2025-26.

    • Coordinate strategic gas storage in Ukrainian caverns for regional partners (“virtual reverse flow” model).

  • Grid resilience

    • Expand the US-funded package of mobile gas turbines and high-voltage transformers ahead of the heating season.

    • Launch a joint cyber-defence cell to shield dispatch centres from Russian intrusions.

“Our first US turbine kept lights on after the worst strikes.
The next phase is structural: American tech powering new reactors and non-Kremlin gas keeping homes warm.”

Herman Galushchenko, Energy Minister of Ukraine

“Ukraine’s energy security is NATO’s energy security.
By coupling SMRs with diversified LNG, we blunt Russia’s energy weapon for good.”

Chris Wright, US Secretary of Energy


Why it matters

Strategic vector Expected payoff
Complete nuclear fuel swap Eliminates last 40 % of VVER fuel sourced from Russia by mid-2026.
AP1000 + SMR rollout Adds > 6 GW zero-carbon baseload in the 2030s and creates an export hub for Eastern Europe.
Alternative LNG chains Cuts Gazprom leverage, stabilises prices for Ukrainian industry and EU neighbours.
Grid resilience package Extra 800 MW of mobile generation plus hardened substations reduces blackout risk next winter.

Next checkpoints

  1. July 10-11 – Rome Ukraine Recovery Conference: sign MoU on SMR licensing and US export-finance guarantees.

  2. August 2025 – Joint feasibility report on LNG swaps via Świnoujście (Poland) and Krk (Croatia) terminals.

  3. Q4 2025 – Pilot reload of Westinghouse fuel at Rivne-1 & 2; grid-connected 50 MW gas-turbine block deployed to Kyiv region.

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