Ukraine – 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster

Forty years on from the Chernobyl disaster, France reiterates its support for the victims of the accident and pays tribute to the heroic courage of the people who worked to contain it.

The event is a reminder of the transnational nature of industrial accidents, which require a mutually-supportive response. France, along with its European partners and the G7 members, is continuing its active efforts to secure the power station, which took practical form between 2007 and 2019 with its role in the building of the containment dome.

France recalls that the Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure may have major radiological consequences and that the attack by a Russian drone on the Chernobyl dome in February 2025 is part of Russia’s terror strategy, which is increasing European insecurity by posing the risk of a nuclear incident.

Following the attack, France is working actively under its G7 presidency in 2026 to support and take part in fundraising for the rebuilding of Chernobyl’s containment dome.