As Ukraine's presidential election approaches, hopeful candidate Yulia Tymoshenko has embarked on a remarkable pro-nuclear campaigning spree. Earlier this week Tymoshenko, who is the current prime minister, paid a visit to the nuclear-industrial complex in the Zaporizhzh oblast , which contains a six-reactor nuclear power plant and a store for used nuclear fuel. Addressing locals she promised a 30% payrise for power sector workers - as well as bonuses for highly qualified personnel with special skills.  And in case that hadn't won over nuclear workers to her side, she followed up on infrastructure. One pledge was to complete the Khmelnitsky 3 and 4 reactors by 2015, one and two years early with respect to schedules announced in September 2008. 

Another promise was to create a domestic nuclear fuel production complex, a 'complete closed complex' including subsidiaries responsible for raw materials such as uranium. This should be done by 2012, Tymoshenko said, at a cost of $200 million. The country has created a reserve of nuclear fuel sufficient to cover one year's need, she added, putting a value of 2 billion hryvnias ($250 million) on the stockpile.  While new build projects and increased security of supply are longstanding goals of Ukrainian energy policy, and most politicians become highly optimistic when seeking votes, it is notable that Ukraine is one of the rare places where they can draw favour from pro-nuclear sentiment.