Moscow has put forth a proposal to Serbia to build a nuclear power plant utilizing Russian technology within the framework of an international consortium. Alexey Likhachev, the chief executive of Rosatom, made this announcement following his meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. He noted that the project could be implemented predominantly with Russian materials, suggesting a near-total reliance on Russian expertise and resources.

Currently, Serbia does not have any operational nuclear plants, and there exists a ban on nuclear construction that was implemented in 1989 after the Chernobyl disaster. This historical context adds complexity to the proposal and raises substantial safety and public health concerns given the region's past experience with nuclear energy. The Serbian energy sector is significantly reliant on coal-burning plants, which account for 70% of its energy production, making the country dependent on Russian natural gas for its energy needs.

The offer from Moscow comes at a time when energy security and diversification are crucial for many countries, particularly in Europe. If Serbia were to proceed with this proposal, it could reshape its energy landscape but might also lead to increased dependence on Russia, raising geopolitical implications as the region navigates through current tensions and energy crises.