Author: PPD Team Date: 05/03/2025
Russia is strengthening its global nuclear cooperation, signing agreements and engaging in discussions with key allies despite growing geopolitical challenges and Western sanctions. The country continues to play a central role in nuclear energy projects in regions including Africa and Asia while also holding high-level discussions with the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Russia and Myanmar sign nuclear agreement
Russia and Myanmar have formalized an agreement for the construction of a small-scale nuclear plant, following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Moscow.
The deal aligns with Russia’s broader strategy of expanding its nuclear footprint in Southeast Asia, strengthening ties with Myanmar’s military-led government. The agreement follows previous discussions on nuclear technology cooperation between the two nations.
South Africa signals openness to Russian nuclear cooperation
South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, recently stated that the country remains open to nuclear energy collaboration with Russia and Iran, despite potential U.S. sanctions.
His comments follow a history of nuclear dealings with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom. In 2014, South Africa signed a $76 billion nuclear agreement with Russia, which was later ruled unlawful by the nation’s High Court in 2017 over transparency concerns.
The United States has sanctioned nearly 70 Rosatom subsidiaries and related individuals, creating a potential sanctions risk for South Africa should it proceed with Russian partnerships. Mantashe’s position underscores South Africa’s willingness to engage with Russian entities, despite the failure of a recent Gazprombank-backed project due to U.S. sanctions.
U.S.-Russia talks on Iran’s nuclear issue
Russia and the United States recently held their most extensive high-level discussions since the start of the Ukraine conflict, with Iran’s nuclear program among the topics addressed. Following these talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited Iran, raising speculation that Moscow briefed Tehran on the discussions with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Iran’s nuclear issue had been discussed but emphasized that any decisions regarding Iran’s program would not be made without Tehran’s approval.
Meanwhile, Iran has accelerated uranium enrichment, with the U.S. asserting that Tehran has taken steps that position it closer to developing a nuclear weapon. These developments have heightened regional tensions, with both Israel and the U.S. warning against Iran achieving nuclear capability.
Russia’s continued expansion in the global nuclear sector, from Myanmar to South Africa and Iran, highlights its strategy of deepening ties with countries that challenge Western influence. As sanctions continue to pressure Russia’s nuclear and financial sectors, these agreements reflect Moscow’s effort to maintain its geopolitical influence through energy cooperation.
Further Reading: Russia’s nuclear activities extend beyond diplomatic agreements to long-standing projects in the Arctic. A recent analysis by Bellona expert Dmitry Gorchakov highlights Russia’s nuclear legacy, ongoing military buildup, and future civilian projects in the Arctic. Read the full article here.