Russia accuses EU of targeting Rosatom's Hungarian nuclear project

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the European Commission of orchestrating a campaign to undermine the reputation of Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation. The accusations center on the Paks II nuclear power plant project in Hungary, a €12.5 billion investment involving the construction of two new reactors.

According to the SVR, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has personally directed efforts to pressure the Hungarian government to abandon its cooperation with Rosatom in favor of Western suppliers. The Russian intelligence service claims that EU bureaucrats have acknowledged that European manufacturers cannot compete fairly with Rosatom in the nuclear energy market.

Moscow warns that replacing the Russian contractor could lead to increased costs and higher security risks, potentially making the project less efficient. While the SVR has made these claims, it has not provided public evidence to confirm the direct involvement of the Commission President in such a campaign.