The United States and Russia are currently engaged in discussions regarding several joint initiatives, including data centers powered by small nuclear reactors. The talks follow a recent diesel supply agreement and were disclosed by Kirill Dmitriev, an investment envoy of President Vladimir Putin, during the Russian Energy Week conference in Moscow. Specific details regarding locations, financing timelines, or participating corporate entities have not yet been released, though officials expect further announcements soon.
Dmitriev, who also leads the Russian Direct Investment Fund, noted that ongoing American sanctions continue to present significant hurdles to bilateral cooperation. He specifically pointed to the Graham Act, signed in September, as a misguided piece of legislation designed to curb Moscow energy revenues through tariffs and penalties. Despite these layers of economic restrictions, representatives from both governments are reportedly brainstorming methods to navigate the current regulatory landscape and pursue further economic collaboration.
The preliminary energy discussions trace back to a diesel arrangement arranged to supply Russian fuel to American and international markets. The US Treasury Department previously asked the Russian sovereign fund to help manage complex payment mechanics associated with the diesel transaction. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy strongly condemned the arrangement, Washington has moved forward with the fuel deal. Russia currently maintains foundational expertise in small modular reactor technology, having commissioned two 35-megawatt small reactors in 2020, while President Vladimir Putin outlined plans to construct 38 nuclear power units over the coming decades to support expanding artificial intelligence computing demands.
US and Russia Discuss Nuclear-Powered Data Centers in New Energy Talks
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