ODESA, DECEMBER 18th, 2013, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE ― Assistant professor of nuclear power plants of the Odesa National Polytechnic University Oleg Zoteev believes that agreements signed with the Russian Federation will be economically and socially beneficial for Ukraine, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

O. Zoteev expressed it during the interview, commenting on the negotiations and the agreements reached between the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to him, yesterday’s signing of several agreements with Russia on cooperation in all areas of industrial production, including the purchase of hydrocarbons “is an important breakthrough for maintaining economic and social stability”.

“The package includes agreements extremely important for both Ukraine and the Russian Federation. It is a reduction in gas prices from January 1, 2014, as well as an agreement on prices for the transportation of gas through Ukraine to Western Europe. Besides, other agreements in the energy sector are also particularly important,” the expert mentioned.

He noted that, in accordance with the agreements Russia provides loans for the construction of the units № 3-4 of the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant. In addition, the money will be allocated for the completion of a plant to produce nuclear fuel in the village of Smoly (Kirovograd region), which will be launched on September 1, 2014.

“The construction of the plant will not only diversify the supply of fuel for 4 NPP, which give 50% of electricity in the winter season, but also achieve a leading position with Russia on nuclear fuel market of third countries,” Mr Zoteev noted.

Associate professor also said that the signed agreements provide cooperation in scientific fields such as aviation, rocket and power engineering.

“These agreements are not only extremely cost-effective, but will stabilize the situation in the social sphere. Many industrial cooperative ties, as well as machine-building enterprises of Ukraine will be restored. Thus, the President was able to achieve the most favourable positions for Ukraine in the current challenging conditions,” he concluded.