MOSCOW, April 9 (UPI) -- Global utility giant Westinghouse Electric Co. and Ukraine's power utility Energoatom have signed a deal to supply Ukraine's nuclear power plants with fuel from 2011-2015. Under the contract, concluded on March 31, 630 fuel assemblies will be loaded inside three local reactors.

"This contract represents a major commitment from both Westinghouse and Ukraine in ensuring that alternative and competitive nuclear fuel supplies are available to the benefit of Ukraine's nuclear energy provider and, ultimately, its citizens," Westinghouse said in a release.

Both companies signed the contract in the run-up to the visit by U.S. President George W. Bush to Ukraine.

However, public concerns are reflected in the following joke that became popular during the visit: "The U.S. President thanked the people of Ukraine for their brave decision to agree to test the substandard and more expensive American fuel inside the country's nuclear reactors."

President Bush praised expanded U.S.-Ukrainian nuclear cooperation that could jeopardize the safety of national nuclear power plants.