Vladimir Putin may visit Turkey for the ceremonial launch of the nuclear power plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin may take part in the ceremony of loading nuclear fuel at the first Turkish nuclear power plant Akkuyu, which is being built with the participation of Rosatom, on April 27, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told A Haber TV channel. The ceremony will take place two and a half weeks before the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 14. The Turkish leader admitted that this would happen during Putin’s official visit. Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov did not refute this statement. “So far no definite decisions have been made. The only thing that can be said is that one way or another the Russian side will be adequately represented and will take part in the ceremony, which will take place at the end of April,” Peskov said.

Previously, Putin took part in events related to the Akkuyu nuclear power plant via videoconference. This was the case during the launch ceremony for the construction of the facility on April 3, 2018, even then the President of Russia announced plans to attend the launch ceremony of the Akkuyu NPP in 2023. In March 2021, the Russian leader was present online at the ceremony of pouring concrete under the third station power unit.