Energy Remains Key Area of Russia–Bangladesh Cooperation, Rooppur Nuclear Project in Focus

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that political dialogue between Russia and Bangladesh has remained constructive throughout almost the entire history of bilateral relations.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Moscow on June 8, 2026, following talks with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Lavrov said both sides had paid special attention to strengthening trade and economic ties.

According to Lavrov, energy remains one of the key areas of Russia–Bangladesh cooperation. He noted that the largest joint project between the two countries is the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. Apart from Rosatom State Corporation and Sberbank, several other Russian companies have also shown interest in developing new cooperation projects with Bangladesh. These include Lukoil, Rosneft, Gazprom International Limited, and Novatek.

Lavrov also said that Bangladesh is interested in making more active use of international platforms hosted by Russia. He noted that a Bangladeshi delegation had taken a constructive part in the recently concluded 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Russia also hopes to see Bangladeshi representatives participate in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok this September, he added.

During the news conference, Lavrov was also asked about the possibility of resuming negotiations with Ukraine in light of recent developments, including attacks on civilians in Starobelsk and on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.

In response, Lavrov said Russia remains ready for negotiations, but only for honest talks without deception. He accused Ukraine of showing no real interest in negotiations and referred to previous agreements, including those linked to the events of February 2014, which he said were not implemented by the Western-backed side.

Lavrov also referred to the August 2025 talks in Anchorage, Alaska, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin had accepted a specific proposal from US President Donald Trump in a spirit of compromise. He described this as part of the “Alaska understanding,” but said that, at present, American partners were showing no interest in moving it forward.

The Russian Foreign Minister also expressed concern over remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly said during congressional hearings that the United States was not in a position to act as a mediator because it supports Ukraine. Lavrov said similar statements had also been made by several European Union figures.

He further claimed that the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany, together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had signed a document in London on strategic support for Ukraine. According to Lavrov, the document included preparations for deploying so-called “stabilisation forces” in Ukraine and supplying Kyiv with additional long-range weapons capable of striking Russian territory.

Against this background, Lavrov said it was difficult to speak seriously about the prospects for negotiations. He maintained that Russia is not opposed to talks, but argued that current Western actions are making the diplomatic environment more complicated.