Putin meets Lukashenko to discuss nuclear cooperation

Vladimir Putin held talks with President Alexander Lukashenko in the Kremlin.

• Main action: Discussed deepening nuclear energy cooperation between Russia and Belarus, including potential expansion of the existing nuclear power plant or construction of a new power unit or plant, possibly in eastern Belarus to supply electricity to the Kherson, Zaporozhye, Lugansk and Donetsk regions. Rosatom has prepared several scenarios for expanding Belarusian nuclear capacity; Putin said “Financing should not be an issue”, and a decision could lead to immediate start-up once the Government finalises numbers. Lukashenko said there are a couple of issues to settle by the end of the year before moving forward.
• Background and details: Belarus’ NPP now supplies ~40% of national electricity; Russia–Belarus trade turnover exceeds US$50 billion and accumulated Russian investment is US$4.5 billion. Belarus exports EV charging stations to Russia and has construction workers operating in Russia; Belarus operates gas-fired plants in ‘cold mode’ for activities like mining and imports gas from Gazprom.
  • Event details:
    • Date: September 26, 2025
    • Time: 17:30
    • Location: The Kremlin, Moscow
    • Agenda/subject: 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry; bilateral cooperation on energy, nuclear projects, and security