Russia questions prospect of US-built nuclear plant in Armenia

Senior Russian officials have challenged the viability of U.S. proposals to build a nuclear power plant in Armenia, Reuters reported.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, on a visit to Armenia this week, signed an agreement that could pave the way for the plant's construction and open what Vance called "a new chapter in the deepening partnership between Armenia and the United States".

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Friday that Soviet technology had enabled Armenia's existing nuclear plant to withstand a devastating 1988 earthquake. He said the U.S. plan raised safety concerns.

"Armenia, as we know, is a seismically active region," state news agency RIA quoted Shoigu as saying.

"If the construction of small reactors using American technology in Armenia moves into the practical phase, we, like all other states in the region, and the people of Armenia itself, will be forced to consider these new nuclear safety risks."