JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF CANADA AND THE FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF UKRAINE, MINISTER OF ENERGY OF UKRAINE ON CANADA-UKRAINE ENERGY COOPERATION

CALGARY, AB, Sept. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- On September 10, 2026, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson and the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met to discuss bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and opportunities to strengthen the long-standing partnership between Canada and Ukraine.

The Ministers confirm the strong friendship between Canada and Ukraine and condemn Russia's ongoing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. They reaffirm their commitment to continued collaboration between the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and Natural Resources Canada in support of Ukraine's energy security, resilience, recovery, and reconstruction, building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2026.

The Ministers emphasize the importance of secure, reliable, affordable, and diversified energy systems in supporting economic growth, energy security, and long-term prosperity. They recognize that stronger Canada-Ukraine energy cooperation can support Ukraine's recovery while creating opportunities for collaboration among governments, industry, researchers, investors, and other stakeholders. This discussion builds upon the goals of the broader leader's visit of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Mark Carney.

They underscore the continued importance of donor contributions through the Ukraine Energy Support Fund and other multilateral platforms to address urgent operational needs, and welcome Canada's latest contribution of $10 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing Canada's total contribution to $100 million.

LNG AND ENERGY SECURITY

The Ministers recognize the importance of diversified natural gas supplies, storage infrastructure, and resilient energy corridors in supporting energy security.

They welcome Canada's commitment of loan guarantees totaling up to $757 million to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support Ukraine's energy security, including for emergency natural gas purchases and secure strategic fuel reserves ahead of the 2026/2027 heating season.

They welcome dialogue with Canadian private sector to facilitate long-term agreements on LNG supply from Canada to Ukraine, and encourage broader dialogue on LNG markets, transportation networks, storage infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks between our two countries.

They note Ukraine's significant underground gas storage capacity and its potential contribution to regional energy resilience.

NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION

The Ministers acknowledge Canada and Ukraine's strengths in the nuclear value chain, including Ukraine's significant nuclear generation capacity, Canada's supply of uranium to Ukrainian reactors and both countries' long experience and excellence in nuclear operations and supply chains.  In this manner, the Ministers specifically highlight the vital strategic partnership between JSC 'NNEGC Energoatom' and Canada's Cameco Corporation in securing long-term uranium supplies and conversion services through 2035, which underpins the energy independence of Ukraine's nuclear fleet.

Both Ministers recognize the existing bilateral Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ukraine for Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy signed in 1995 and the 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to formalize efforts to cooperate and exchange information on nuclear regulatory matters. 

Furthermore, the Ministers commit to promote cooperation on the modernization of Ukraine's domestic uranium mining and processing facilities, radioactive waste management, and continue joint diplomatic efforts within the IAEA framework to ensure the complete safety, security, and restoration of Ukrainian control over the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP.

To this effect, they reaffirm their interest in sharing best practices and promoting joint research and development activities in the field of nuclear safety and security, promoting the post-war development of nuclear technologies, including advanced and small modular reactors, cooperation in the supply and production of radioisotope products and promoting regulatory standards, accident protection and recovery and processing facility decommissioning.

HYDROELECTRIC POWER, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND GRID RESILIENCE

The Ministers emphasize the critical role of hydroelectric power and renewable energy sources in ensuring grid flexibility, balancing capacities, and accelerating the clean energy transition. They welcome continued exchanges of information and expertise on electricity system modernization, hydropower and energy storage technologies, infrastructure reconstruction, and grid resilience.

They welcome Export Development Canada's $200 million Concessional Trade Finance Envelope dedicated to supporting priority projects in Ukraine, including a hydroelectric infrastructure opportunity Canada intends to support.

They encourage continued cooperation among relevant public authorities, utilities, research organizations, and industry stakeholders on key hydroelectric projects and the rehabilitation of damaged hydro assets in Ukraine, including on joint engineering, construction, and financing solutions. Canada invites lessons learned from Ukraine's energy workers who are pivoting with agility to restore networks and adjust power sources in unprecedented emergency situations.

INVESTMENT AND COMMERCIAL ENGAGEMENT

The Ministers emphasized the value of continued dialogue on Canadian private sector participation in Ukraine's energy reconstruction, including in energy equipment, engineering services, technical expertise, digital technologies, cybersecurity, and operational resilience. They encourage engagement between Canadian and Ukrainian companies, researchers, technology providers, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration that support Ukraine's energy recovery and long-term energy security.

As reliable, affordable and resilient energy is a foundation for reconstruction, both countries are committed to promoting awareness of investment opportunities; encouraging dialogue with financial institutions and development partners; and facilitating information sharing on investment frameworks, market opportunities, and workforce development.

IMPLEMENTATION

Mobilizing the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Cooperation in the Energy Sector (2026), the Ministers continue to advance actions and identify practical opportunities for collaboration in the priority areas outlined above.

Both Ministers recognize the important role of Ukrainian oblasts and Canadian provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, utilities, research institutions, and private-sector stakeholders in supporting Ukraine's energy recovery and reconstruction. They invite continued engagement between Ukraine and Canadian experts across energy sectors in capacity-building efforts, governance reform, skills development, and technological innovation.

Both countries will maximize opportunities for collaboration and leadership in international organizations. Ministers commit to remain in close contact and to continue strengthening Canada-Ukraine cooperation in support of energy security, economic resilience, sustainable growth, and Ukraine's long-term recovery and reconstruction.

Signed in duplicate at Calgary, on September 10, 2026, in the English, French and Ukrainian languages, each version being equally valid.

________________________________ TIM HODGSON	________________________________ DENYS SHMYHAL
MINISTER OF ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF CANADA	FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF UKRAINE, MINISTER OF ENERGY OF UKRAINE

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6096, [email protected]; Charlotte Power, Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, [email protected]