Russia's Nuclear Capabilities Surpass those of the US, Peskov
YEREVAN, February 11. /ARКА/. Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary for the Russian President, asserted that Russia's expertise in nuclear energy is superior to that of the United States, while also noting that service costs are lower.
In his remarks regarding the potential for collaboration between Armenia and the US in the peaceful application of nuclear energy, the Kremlin representative highlighted that Armenia's current nuclear infrastructure was developed using Soviet designs, indicating that Russia possesses the requisite knowledge.
"Russia has a wealth of experience and is very competitive in this sector. As one of the foremost nations in nuclear energy, it can endure a significant level of international competition if such competition is necessitated by its partners. Russia is capable of delivering high-quality services over the long term at a reduced cost," Peskov remarked, as reported by TASS.
During the official two-day visit of US Vice President J.D. Vance to Armenia on February 9, a joint document was finalized, concluding discussions on an intergovernmental agreement for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
This document establishes the legal framework for ongoing collaboration in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, particularly concerning licensing and the potential integration of US technology and equipment. The agreement anticipates exports totaling up to $5 billion in the initial phase, along with an additional $4 billion for fuel and maintenance.
Recently, during a meeting with Alen Simonyan in Moscow, the Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, Alexey Likhachev, the Director General of Rosatom, suggested a broad collaboration in the nuclear energy field with Armenia.
This collaboration may encompass the development of large, medium, and small-capacity nuclear power facilities, in addition to non-nuclear initiatives, as clarified by Rosatom.
David Khudatyan, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, mentioned that the Armenian government has determined that the upcoming nuclear power plant will be modular, although the final decision will be made in 2026–2027.
"We are actively considering proposals, including those from partners in Russia, the United States, China, South Korea, and France," Khudatyan stated.
The Armenian Nuclear Power Plant, which is the sole nuclear facility in the South Caucasus, is situated near Metsamor, roughly 30 km west of Yerevan. This plant is a vital source of electricity for the country, contributing up to 40% of its total energy output.
The operational lifespan of the current power unit has been extended until 2026, and efforts are ongoing to prolong it for an additional 10 years. The Armenian authorities aim to construct a new nuclear power plant within the next 8-10 years.-0-
