Back on June 4, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Russian leader Vladimir Putin were all smiles amid the ceremonial groundbreaking for construction of Uzbekistan’s first cluster of nuclear reactors, to be built by Russia’s nuclear entity Rosatom. “I am confident that you have chosen the best option for Uzbekistan out of all those offered,” Putin told Mirziyoyev at the time. Just three months later, it is clear that Mirziyoyev is having second thoughts about his selection of Rosatom. On September 2, his presidential press service published a lengthy update on the construction of the integrated nuclear plant. Rosatom was not mentioned once in the announcement. What the statement did mention was that Mirziyoyev had endorsed the creation of a new consortium to oversee the construction process. “To improve project management, strengthen technical oversight, and conduct independent assessments of technological solutions, it is proposed to establish a joint venture with leading international engineering companies,” it emphasised. The statement did not delve into details about the envisioned consortium’s composition. The lack of specifics leaves a lot of room for speculation about Rosatom’s future role in the project. What seems certain is that the Russian entity, long a dominant force in the global nuclear energy market, no longer enjoys the Uzbek government’s trust to get the job done on its own. Uzbek frustration with Rosatom seems to have been building for a while, at least since the start of 2026. In January, Uzbek authorities postponed the start of nuclear plant construction, which was originally scheduled for March. Then Mirziyoyev made a surprise announcement in August that “extensive preparatory work” had been done for the construction of a second nuclear plant. He did not say where and when construction would start, who would build it, or how much it would cost. Reading between the lines, the September 2 statement supports the notion that there is lots of underlying tension in Uzbek-Russian relations these days. Putin has perhaps been more overt in signalling displeasure with the recent course of bilateral relations. But Mirziyoyev’s Rosatom omission indicates that discontent is running both ways. In another move sure to vex Putin, Mirziyoyev on September 3 met in Tashkent with retiring US Senator Steve Daines just a few days after the two met in Bishkek, along with Trump administration special envoy Sergio Gor. Details about Daines’ second meeting were scant. But two meetings over a four-day span in two different cities suggest some serious discussions took place. Over the past year, the Trump Administration has expressed interest in developing nuclear energy cooperation with Central Asian states, especially in the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The central issue with the Uzbek-Rosatom relationship seems to revolve around money, or more specifically the lack of it. The Uzbek project envisions the construction of two 1-gigawatt VVER-1000 reactors and two smaller 55-megawatt RITM-200N models, along with necessary infrastructure and housing in the vicinity to accommodate up to 33,000 plant workers and their families. The overall cost is currently estimated at $9.5bn. Where all the financing will come from remains up in the air. Russia has proposed at least one financing plan that Tashkent apparently found unattractive. Mirziyoyev’s September 2 update indicates that beyond the financing question, Uzbekistan aims to downgrade Rosatom’s role in the project, intending to secure a larger share of the work for Uzbek contractors and workers. “According to preliminary estimates, local production accounts for 21 percent of the project, or $1.9 billion. The head of state noted that this figure is insufficient,” the statement reads. “The goal is to increase the share of domestic production in the project to at least 30 percent, ensure that 65 percent of construction and installation work is carried out by national enterprises and employ 7,000 local workers and specialists.” To accelerate the localisation of construction, Mirziyoyev ordered officials to prepare a plan to establish a manufacturing complex near the nuclear facility worksite to produce building materials and components for the power plant. This article first appeared on Eurasianet here.

<p>The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has designated South Korea as a 'sensitive country,' placing it on the lowest tier of its Sensitive and Other Designated Countries List (SCL) in January 2025, ac...

The United States has signed a landmark agreement with Saudi Arabia to establish a civilian nuclear program, emphasizing safeguards against nuclear proliferation. The deal, announced under Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, includes agreements on peaceful nuclear cooperation and bilateral safeguards. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreements, which aim to create a multi-billion-dollar partnership focused on nuclear nonproliferation and economic collaboration. However, the move has faced opposition from U.S. lawmakers and Israeli officials, who fear Saudi Arabia could eventually use the program to develop nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia, like Iran, has long asserted its right to a civilian nuclear program, and the deal comes amid ongoing tensions with Iran over its nuclear activities. Experts warn that allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium could destabilize the region, while U.S. officials argue the agreement strengthens strategic ties and economic interests. The deal will be reviewed by Congress, with concerns about regional security and geopolitical implications remaining central to the debate.

The India–Canada uranium deal raises concerns over fissile material expansion, regional deterrence stability, and non-proliferation norms.

Russia’s nuclear cooperation with Africa boosts energy access, geopolitical influence, and partnerships, but raises safety concerns.

Russia’s nuclear cooperation with Africa boosts energy access, geopolitical influence, and partnerships, but raises safety concerns.

Russia’s nuclear cooperation with Africa boosts energy access, geopolitical influence, and partnerships, but raises safety concerns.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to finalise a landmark uranium export agreement, ending over a decade of delays since their nations signed a nuclear cooperation pact in 2014. The deal, announced in June, will enable significant Australian uranium exports to India, which is expanding its nuclear energy capacity to meet growing electricity demands and power data centres for artificial intelligence. India's target of 100GW of nuclear power by 2047 requires substantial uranium supplies, and changes to Indian safeguards have now cleared the way for commercial exports. The agreement comes amid Australia's position as the world's largest uranium reserve holder, despite regulatory hurdles in key states. While the deal boosts economic ties, concerns persist about India's nuclear non-proliferation status and human rights issues under Modi's leadership. The visit includes a rally for the Indian-Australian community and discussions on defence cooperation, reflecting the strategic importance of the partnership.

The U.S. Department of Energy has designated ally South Korea a

Russia and Argentina have effectively halted cooperation on civil nuclear energy projects, Russia's ambassador to Buenos Aires said, as President Javier Milei's government deepens its alignment with the United States and moves away from Moscow.

Iran’s twelve-day war with Israel has pushed Tehran even closer to Moscow and led to new cooperation agreements, including increased weapons supplies and closer cooperation in the nuclear sector.

Lead: Iranian and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials will meet in Vienna to discuss a new model of cooperation, following Iran’s recent law that temporarily halts collaboration with the IAEA.

Trump's upcoming Saudi Arabia visit may see US cooperation on a Saudi civilian nuclear program. Thi...

Vance Praises India, Flatters Modi, While Pitching For More Energy, Defense Sales.

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC- In a significant development for US-India relations, the United States has taken steps to enhance civil nuclear cooperation by removing three major Indian entities...

Hungary proves that one of the best fields for reviving civilized East-West cooperation is nuclear energy, FM Szijjártó believes. #peterszijjarto #nuclearcooperation #eastwest #china #energy