Reuters: Russia and Kazakhstan will sign nuclear power deal during Putin trip, Kremlin says

11:44 28.05.2026 •

Russian President Vladimir Putin will oversee the signing of a deal outlining parameters for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan when he ​visits the country this week, the Kremlin said on Tuesday, writes Reuters.

Kazakhstan, an ​oil- and gas-rich nation of 20.5 million people, has not ⁠had any nuclear power generation capacity since 1999, when the BN-350 ​reactor on the shores of the Caspian Sea was decommissioned. The country ​voted in a referendum in 2024 in favour of constructing new plants and plans to have 2.4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035.

Putin will also discuss an increase ​in transhipment of Russian oil to China via Kazakhstan, Kremlin aide Yury ​Ushakov told reporters.

Key agreements to be signed during Putin visit

Last year, Russia agreed to ‌raise ⁠its oil exports to China via Kazakhstan through the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline by 2.5 million tons per year to 12.5 million metric tons. However, the increase has not yet materialised, according to industry sources.

Kazakhstan is one of ​the world's biggest ​uranium producers but ⁠currently relies mostly on coal for its electricity, supplemented by some hydroelectricity and a growing renewable energy sector. ​China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) also has plans to build ​a nuclear ⁠plant there.

"Key agreements will be signed during (Putin's) visit on the main parameters for building a nuclear power plant and on financing the project through a ⁠Russian ​state export loan," Ushakov said.

Kazakhstan has said ​Russia would provide 85% of the financing for the plant, which is expected to be commissioned ​in 2035-2036.

 

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