Public opinion poll

What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation? Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

Oleksandr, 37 years old, businessman

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“If the unit was properly repaired and this ensures its safety, I think, the long-term operation is needed. Currently, the electric power generated by NPPs is the cheapest energy; we have no any cost efficient alternatives in Ukraine”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“This question is rhetorical. Actually, it is not important what I think. I clearly understand that the probability of creation of nuclear weapon in Ukraine is very low”.

Odarka, 28 years old, interpreter

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“As far as I am concerned, the long-term operation is needed. The power unit should be maintained in the proper state: it should be repaired, upgraded and equipped with up-to-date equipment. Nuclear safety is not a joke, we already have the bad experience of Chornobyl NPP. The future belongs to the renewable power sources, first of all, to solar energy. The European countries have already chosen this way so, I think, we have to try it as well”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“I think that Ukraine needs nuclear weapon. When we had it, nobody aggressed the state sovereignty. What do we have now? We have problems, but do not have the defense. We should not expect to become the NATO member in the nearest future”.

Valentin, 22 years old, merchandiser

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“I think that Ukraine should choose more safe way – instead of old unit lifetime extension it is necessary to construct new units. From the economic point of view, it is more expensive, since to repair the old power unit is cheaper than to construct the new one. But I think that it is not possible to economize on the health of the whole nation”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“Ukraine needs nuclear weapon to ensure the sovereignty!”

Svitlana, 46 years old, bookkeeper

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“Frankly speaking, I cannot imagine my life without electric power. For the lack of alternatives, I think ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation is needed”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“In view of the situation in Eastern Ukraine, I think the main thing is to prevent Russia from using nuclear weapon!”

Volodymyr, 66 years old, pensioner

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“In view of electric power deficit in Ukraine, I think that unit long-term operation is needed. Anyway, the unit should be properly repaired and modernized”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“I do not support the nuclear weapon. Although “someone” violates the provisions of the Budapest Agreement, I think that for Ukraine it is safer without nuclear weapon”.

Inna, 28 years old, lawyer

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“I support the development of renewable power sources in Ukraine, in particular the solar power. Nuclear power plants are not safe, Ukraine should shut them down step-by-step”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“No way. I am for the peace on Earth. Nuclear weapon is an indicator of the enmity and distrust to the neighboring countries. Evil comes from evil. We should think more profound”.

Markiian, 37 years old, lawyer, elected official assistant

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“Considering the economic component, I think that unit long-term operation is needed since new unit construction is very expensive. For all that, I think that development of solar power in Ukraine and, in particular, in Chornobyl Exclusion Zone is the best alternative”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“Considering safety of the country, I think that Ukraine needs nuclear weapon. We have the potential. The Budapest Agreement does not work in Ukraine”.

Yuliia, 26 years old, lawyer

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“Yes, I support the power unit long-term operation. The contemporary human being without electric power is helpless. I cannot imagine my life without computer or mobile phone. We got used to the up-to-date technologies so it is impossible to go back from them at once. On the other hand, NPP operation shall be safe, so it is necessary to invest great funds in advanced equipment purchasing”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“I think that Ukraine needs the nuclear weapon. We all see that provisions of the Budapest Memorandum are ignored, including by the guarantor of Ukraine territorial integrity”.

Yurii, 44 years old, manager

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“I am against ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation. The operation of old power units is not safe. It is necessary to invest in safety, correspondently in construction of new up-to-date nuclear power plants”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“I think that we do not need it”.

Mariia, 34 years old, financial economist

1) What do you think about ZNPP Unit 1 long-term operation?

“I am sorry but I cannot answer this question. I am not experienced in nuclear power”.

2) Does Ukraine need the nuclear weapon?

“Currently, I think yes! It appeared that the Budapest Agreement is not worth the paper it was printed on. I think that until we have the neighbor-aggressor, it is a good practice to have extra protection”.