April 26, Pozirk. The regime of Alaksandar Łukašenka cannot be allowed to build a second nuclear power plant in Belarus in pursuit of its own political goals, Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja told Pozirk, commenting on officials’ plans to increase nuclear capacity.
“We understand that this is not done for the sake of Belarusians. It is not for the benefit of Belarusians,” the opposition leader said. “These are the regime’s political games and gambles to show loyalty to its ‘big brother’ [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, make us more dependent on Russia, and maybe solicit some funds for its own survival in this way.”
Cichanoŭskaja pointed to regular defects and shutdowns at the Astraviec Nuclear Power Plant. “We understand that it was built without compliance with international standards,” she said. “We don’t know what kind of fuel and equipment is used there.”
“Of course, Belarusians are very concerned about it, and so are our neighbors. If something goes wrong, it would primarily affect our country and our people, but our neighbors could suffer as well. We must not forget that under the irresponsible people who have grabbed power, there is this problem. We must monitor very closely the developments at this power plant and, of course, do everything possible to prevent the construction of the second plant for these political purposes,” the politician concluded.
Over the past few years, Alaksandar Łukašenka has repeatedly announced the possibility of building the second nuclear power plant. For example, addressing the Russian Federation Council on March 14, he stated that Belarus “will need more electricity” and “has asked the Russians if it is possible to build the second power plant.” He suggested that it could be constructed in eastern Belarus.
On March 31, Energy Minister Dzianis Maroz told journalists that the government was preparing for technical negotiations with Russia on building the nuclear power station in Belarus.
