Energy Secretary Grant Shapps flies to Kyiv to visit children’s nursery attended by young refugee who he gave a home after Putin’s invasion – as British minister vows further aid to war-torn country
- Grant Shapps previously took in a family of Ukrainian refugees with a son, Nikita
Britain’s Energy Secretary Grant Shapps flew to the Ukrainian capital to further links with Kyiv and visit a children’s nursery once attended by the child he has welcomed into his home under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
He used the trip as an opportunity to promote Ukraine’s burgeoning nuclear power supply, saying it will help end the nation’s reliance on Russian supplies.
The MP visited a Ukrainian power station before travelling to a children’s nursery attended by Nikita, the young son of the family he took in under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
The Energy Secretary played a recorded message from Nikita for the children, the Government said.
The Government has announced its intention to provide a £192 million loan guarantee through UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the UK’s export credit agency.
Mr Shapps has homed a family of refugees, including a small boy named Nikita
The UK’s Energy Secretary Grant Shapps flew to the Ukrainian capital and visited the nation’s Wall of Remembrance
Grant Shapps visits a Ukrainian nursery on his trip to Kyiv, meeting Ukrainian children
British Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps and Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko visit an energy facility
Grant Shapps (left) talks with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kubrakov (right) in Kyiv
It is designed to enable UK-headquartered Urenco to supply Ukraine’s national nuclear company, Energoatom, with uranium enrichment services, which are vital for nuclear fuel.
Ukraine’s energy system was severely damaged by a campaign of Russian air strikes last winter, making it more reliant on ageing nuclear power stations.
Ukraine currently controls three of its four active nuclear plants: the fourth, in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, was captured by Russia in March 2022.
Mr Shapps visited a power station undergoing repairs after being damaged by Russian bombing and met Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said that, once provided, the support will bring the UK’s non-military financial assistance to Ukraine close to £5 billion.
Mr Shapps also visited Kyiv, where he met with senior Ukrainian ministers and energy industry figures to discuss Ukraine’s recovery and ongoing UK support.
He went to visit the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to killed Ukrainian soldiers alongside Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.
Ukraine currently controls three of its four active nuclear plants: the fourth, in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, was captured by Russia in March 2022
Grant Shapps lays a bunch of red roses at Ukraine’s Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv
Flowers are pictured at the Wall of Remembrance during Mr Shapps’ visit to Ukraine
Grant Shapps during a visit to a Ukrainian power station – the exact location was not disclosed
Grant Shapps and Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko pose for a selfie inside the damaged site
Mr Shapps carried with him a bunch of roses, which he is believed to have left at the wall as his own recognition of the Ukrainian people’s sacrifice.
He said: ‘Our support for Ukraine is unwavering in the face of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s barbaric invasion – the UK continues to stand with Ukraine as they repel Russian attacks and rebuild their country.
‘Being here on the ground, it’s truly remarkable witnessing first-hand the sheer courage, resolve and gritty determination of the Ukrainian people.
‘Putin has used energy as a weapon of war: the action today to support nuclear fuel deliveries will help Ukraine end their reliance on Russian supplies and bolster their energy security.’
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