Belarus: Rosatom NPP in Belarus Is Originally a Political Project

With regard to the Rosatom NPP to be build in Belarus, the country has accused Lithuania of politization the matter. However, the NPP construction was of political rather than economic nature right from the start. The loan of $10 billion given by Russia to Belarus will increase the Belarusian dependency on Russia. Furthermore, Belarus itself has done much to further politicize the project. It has violated its obligations under both the Aarhus and Espoo Convention. The construction should for example not have started before the finalization of consultations with Lithuania as required under the Espoo Convention.