Russia has sharply criticized U.S. plans to build a nuclear power plant in Armenia, with senior officials raising safety concerns about American technology in the seismically active region. Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, warned that using U.S. small reactors would force Armenia and neighboring states to consider new nuclear safety risks.

This pushback comes as Vice President JD Vance signed an agreement during his visit to Yerevan that could pave the way for the plant's construction, which he called "a new chapter in the deepening partnership between Armenia and the United States." Armenia is reviewing proposals from U.S., Russian, Chinese, French and South Korean companies to replace its ageing Metsamor nuclear plant.

Russia views Armenia as part of its sphere of influence and sees the nuclear plant deal as a lucrative energy contract at risk. Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, currently has an order portfolio of 41 nuclear units in 11 countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin claimed Rosatom could move ahead quickly on attractive financial terms, while Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized the U.S. for offering untested designs likely to exceed cost estimates.