Belarus proposes a new nuclear plant to supply energy to Russian-occupied Ukraine

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus unveiled a proposal on Friday to build a second nuclear power plant capable of supplying energy to Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine.

President Alexander Lukashenko raised the plans during a meeting at the Kremlin with President Vladimir Putin, who appeared to publicly support the idea.

Lukashenko said the plant could be used if needed to supply areas controlled by Russia in Ukraine’s Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of Belarus’ opposition, told The Associated Press that the plans put “all of Europe at risk.”

She added: “By proposing that Putin build a second nuclear power plant in Belarus to supply electricity to occupied territories in Ukraine, Lukashenko once again proves he is complicit in Russian aggression. He is trading Belarusian sovereignty for power and profits from war crimes.”

Belarus opened its first nuclear power plant, in Astravets, in November 2020, amid protests and concern in neighboring Lithuania, where the authorities opposed the plant’s construction just 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from the capital, Vilnius.

The Astravets plant was built by the Russian state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, with a $10 billion loan provided by Moscow. Putin did not specify at Friday's meeting whether Russia would provide financial backing for a second plant.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for over three decades, is a close ally of the Kremlin. He allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory as a staging ground for Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and later authorized the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear missiles.

From left, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi visit the Atom pavilion at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh) ahead of the World Atomic Week forum in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko shake hands during their meeting a the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP)

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya from Belarus speaks during the Concordia Annual Summit, in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko shake hands during their meeting a the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned to the court after limping off with a right leg injury in the opening minutes of the San Antonio Spurs' game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter and was on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama dropped to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with the left leg of Milwaukee center Giannis Antetokounmpo under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Antetokounmpo was driving to the rim when the two made contact.

Wembanyama remained on the court for a few seconds before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

Wembanyama suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to the bench but missed the next two games.

San Antonio enters Thursday's game on a two-game skid, including a 119-98 loss at Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama reveals a freshly shaved head as he warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)