US quietly clears way for Russian nuclear construction in Hungary
Photo: Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó (Getty Images)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the lifting of US sanctions on the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant, which is being built by Rosatom.
Szijjártó stated that the US, during Joe Biden’s presidency, made a number of political decisions that put Hungary “in an extremely difficult position.” One of those decisions was the sanctions against the construction of the nuclear power plant in Paks.
“Fortunately, since January, there has been a president in the White House in Washington who considers Hungary a friend. The US government has lifted the sanctions related to investments in the Paks nuclear power plant,” he said.
The Hungarian minister thanked US President Donald Trump and his administration for the decisions that “guarantee Hungary a secure long-term energy supply and preserve the results of reduced utility costs.”
Paks is Hungary’s only nuclear power plant. Its operating life was extended until the 2030s following modernization.
Back in 2014, Russia and Hungary agreed on the construction of two new power units at the Paks nuclear power plant.
At the end of May 2023, the European Commission approved amendments to the contracts for the construction of new reactors at Hungary’s Paks NPP.
Ukraine, for its part, sent a note of protest to the European Commission over the possible intensification of cooperation with Rosatom.
