Azerbaijan and Turkey strongly oppose modernization of Armenian nuclear power plant – Andrey Areshev

Speaking with Alpha News, political scientist and expert at the Strategic Culture Foundation Andrey Areshev commented on Pashinyan’s visit to Moscow and the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Armenia.

“There is reason to believe that the Russian side is interested in nuclear cooperation. Considerable efforts have been made to encourage the Armenian side to view Moscow’s proposals favorably. However, other partners, particularly the US and France, are also putting forward their own options—small reactors and technological solutions. Nuclear energy is a highly competitive sector where many interests converge. Azerbaijan and Turkey are categorically opposed to the modernization of the Armenian nuclear power plant and, likely, to the development of nuclear energy in Armenia in general. Under these circumstances, the Pashinyan government is operating in a difficult situation. The lack of a clear decision is understandable—the pros and cons will be weighed for a long time, and the process is likely to be prolonged,” Areshev said.

According to the expert, cooperation between Armenia and Russia is under pressure from those seeking to reorient Yerevan toward Azerbaijan and Turkey.

“Both Russian and Armenian experts have long emphasized that nuclear energy is a key area of cooperation between Russia and Armenia. Much has been accomplished over the years: from the closure of the nuclear power plant in the 1990s to the modernization of the second power unit and cooperation with Rosatom. This is not only about energy, but also about geopolitics. Cooperation is under pressure from those seeking to distance Armenia from Russia and reorient it toward Azerbaijan and Turkey. Purchases of Azerbaijani gas are part of this logic, as discussed by representatives of the Civil Contract, including Alen Simonyan. There are indeed many problems, and they are being discussed at the highest level. The question of holding an intergovernmental commission remains open—it typically meets at the end of the year. This area needs to be closely monitored,” the political scientist noted.