Ukraine urges EU sanctions on Rosatom over Egypt nuclear project safety failures

Ukraine has called on the European Union to impose sanctions on Russia's state nuclear company, Rosatom, following allegations of safety and engineering failures at its flagship El Dabaa nuclear plant project in Egypt. The call from Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha came after a POLITICO investigation revealed warnings from Egyptian authorities and internal Rosatom assessments detailing concerns about concrete work quality, delays, and management issues.

According to the investigation, Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority accused Rosatom of "deliberate negligence" and violations of "nuclear safety culture." These allegations, which Rosatom denies, could complicate its global standing, particularly as the El Dabaa project uses the same technology as Hungary's Paks II nuclear plant, a project already under scrutiny.

Sybiha stated that Rosatom is an instrument of Russia's ambition for a global nuclear monopoly and is not a reliable partner, urging EU member states to restart discussions on sanctions. He emphasized that no state should conduct nuclear business with a company implicated in war crimes. Rosatom has defended its safety record at El Dabaa, asserting that allegations have not been confirmed through established project procedures.