Speaking in parliament, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia is currently in a cycle of extending the operational lifespan of its nuclear power plant until 2036, with the possibility of a further 10-year extension, pushing the shutdown date to 2046. He made the remarks in response to a question from Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.

Rubinyan asked when the current plant would close and whether a new one would be built beforehand, and with which countries.

Addressing nuclear cooperation with the United States, Pashinyan said discussions are still underway to determine which project format best suits Armenia’s needs.

“We’re in dialogue with several partners, and a decision will be made in favor of the project that best aligns with Armenia’s interests,” he stated.

He also spoke about the recent visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, noting that Armenia will soon submit its feedback on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) project.

“The draft agreement will be based on a framework document approved by both governments,” Pashinyan added.

On February 9, Armenia signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S., under which it will receive small modular reactors. The project’s total value is $9 billion — $5 billion for equipment supply and $4 billion for fuel delivery and long-term servicing.

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by asserting that Russia has greater experience in the nuclear sector and offers more cost-effective services compared to the U.S.