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Hungary, Russia find new route for fuel supplies to NPP via Bulgaria, says ministry

The Paks NPP provides half of all generated and one third of consumed electricity in Hungary

BUDAPEST, January 16. /TASS/. Hungary and Russia have found a new route to supply nuclear fuel to the Paks nuclear power plant (NPP) via Bulgaria and Romania, bypassing Ukraine, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto told a press conference in Sofia on Monday as broadcast on his Facebook page (banned in Russia as it is owned by Meta Corporation designated as extremist by the Russian authorities), following a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Nikolay Milkov.

The supply of Russian fuel to the Paks station by rail through the Ukrainian territory became impossible in 2022 due to the conflict in Ukraine, Szijjarto noted, adding that several times, fuel was transported there by plane through the airspace of Belarus, Poland and Slovakia with the permission of the EU’s leadership, which made an exception to its bans. Eventually, "a new route was found to carry nuclear fuel from Russia to Hungary via Bulgaria and Romania," the minister said. "Since last December, nuclear fuel necessary for the work of the nuclear power plant in Hungary has been quickly delivered from Russia via Bulgaria and Romania by rail," he noted. Fuel is carried from Russia to Bulgaria on board a cargo vessel via the Black Sea.

The Paks NPP provides half of all generated and one third of consumed electricity in Hungary. At present, four power units with VVER-440 reactors operate at the station built about 100 kilometers south of Budapest on the banks of the Danube using Soviet technologies. At present, preparations are underway for the construction of two new power units designed by Rosatom. Concurrently, preparations are underway for the construction of second stage facilities as part of a project by Rosatom. As Szijjarto said earlier, Moscow confirmed its readiness to finance this project, which is estimated at 12.5 billion euros and which from the very start was supposed to be 80% financed by a Russian loan. The Hungarian government expects that two new VVER-1200 nuclear reactors will be commissioned by 2030 and after that, the plant's capacity will increase from its current levels of 2,000 MW to 4,400 MW.

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Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

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World Aquatics withdraws ban on participation of Russian athletes in relay races

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Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

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Belarusian security agency says Minsk aware of Poland’s efforts to prepare terrorist cells

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US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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Official declines to say if US gives Ukraine targeting data for Storm Shadow missiles

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Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

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US takes responsibility for Palestinian deaths by vetoing UNSC resolution — Russian envoy

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Ex-German chancellor never expected Russia to tolerate Ukraine’s NATO membership — memoir

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US sees no preconditions for Russia to use nuclear weapons — news agency

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German defense minister says Ukraine reached parity in shells with Russia

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Sweden detected ship movements when cable damage occurred, minister says

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Russian forces gain foothold in central Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

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Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

ATACMS missiles unlikely to keep Kiev from losing conflict — American expert

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Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

Railroad development to strengthen ties with foreign partners — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that "it is necessary to modernize border crossings in coming years, including introduction of practice of electronic paperwork"

Belarusian TV to air documentary film about foreign mlitary invasion plan

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US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

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It was also reported that over 100 people were wounded

Russian forces strike ammo plant in Ukraine’s Sumy Region in drone attack

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Iran claims to have disabled Israel’s Iron Dome air defense in past strikes

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Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

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Ukrainian losses, captives, aid to civilians: situation in Kursk Region

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Russia monitors situation in Kursk Region after reports of ATACMS missiles — Kremlin

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Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"