Conflicts

In Kazakhstan, a nuclear power plant is planned in a protected area. The country held a referendum on the construction. Kazakhs voted 70% in favor.

Natalia Sadykova, director of a Kazakh opposition media organization, said the referendum was just a show. The decision to build has long been taken at the highest level and could turn into an environmental disaster.

The head of the Kremlin has been campaigning for the idea of building a nuclear power station near Almaty since the early 2000s. However, building the station could entail not only huge financial costs, but also serious environmental consequences for the lake's unique ecosystem.

For Natalia Sadykova:

“Russia has become a rogue country, numerous sanctions have been imposed on it, the civilized world has deprived Russia of technology. And Kazakhstan, at such a difficult time for Russia, is supporting it, supporting its war against Ukraine and agreeing to let Rosatom, which is under sanctions, build this nuclear power plant.”

“We know very well that, with Kazakhstan's help, Putin and Russia are circumventing all the sanctions imposed by the West.”

(MH with AmBar/Source: Nexta/Photo: DPA /CFOTO)