A London-based court recently ruled that Finland’s decision not to abandon the Hanhikivi nuclear power project was not supported by the evidence, a point highlighted by Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev during a meeting with the United Russia presidium. The information came through Kommersant, a Russian newspaper with coverage of the matter.
The legal action was brought by Rosatom, the state nuclear corporation, against Finnish company Fennovoima. Likhachev noted that the court described Finland’s actions as unfounded and politically driven, a description that underscores the contentious nature of the dispute between the parties involved in the project and the broader strategic implications for Russia’s nuclear sector.
Likhachev emphasized that the court decision leaves open the path for continued litigation to pursue the material damages Rosatom asserts were caused by the decision, framing the ruling as a procedural win that does not end the dispute but permits further examination of the claims and potential compensation.
Oleg Muratov, who previously served on the Central Executive Board of the Russian Nuclear Association, commented on the broader strategic context, suggesting that the probability of sanctions against Rosatom by Europe or the United States is very low. He argued that Rosatom remains a major supplier of nuclear fuel to the United States and to European markets, highlighting the company’s integral role in global nuclear energy infrastructure and the potential economic consequences of any punitive measures.
In a separate remark, a former official from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs referenced safety concerns and the Fukushima incident to question the resilience of nuclear projects, implying that public confidence in such facilities remains a critical factor in ongoing assessments and policy debates. The statement reflects the wider international discourse on nuclear safety and energy security as countries weigh the benefits and risks of nuclear power adoption.