US and NATO Disappointed by Turkey’s Decision: What’s Next?

Turkey is advancing its nuclear energy ambitions, with major contributions from Russia and China. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has confirmed that negotiations are underway with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom to build a second nuclear plant in Sinop, on the Black Sea. This development follows the ongoing construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is slated to have all four reactors operational by 2028, meeting approximately 10% of Turkey’s electricity demands. In parallel, Turkey is holding advanced discussions with China for a third nuclear facility in the Thrace region. These talks are crucial for Ankara’s strategy to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Turkey aims to achieve 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, with plans to include 5 GW from small modular reactors (SMRs) in this mix. Turkey’s deepening nuclear ties with Russia have drawn attention from NATO, which has expressed concern about the potential security implications. The Akkuyu plant, entirely built and operated by Rosatom, is seen as a point of leverage for Russia over Turkey, a NATO member. This follows earlier tensions between Ankara and the alliance, particularly over Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, which led to sanctions from the United States and its exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program. Experts warn that Turkey’s increasing reliance on Russian nuclear technology could pose risks, including dependency on Moscow and potential nuclear proliferation concerns. There are fears that advanced nuclear technologies, even if initially intended for civilian use, could be repurposed for military objectives, despite Turkey’s stated focus on energy security.