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Friendly country unexpectedly wants to remove Russia from US$14 billion project

Hungary is reviewing the Paks II nuclear expansion, valued at over US$14 billion, and is considering replacing Russia's Rosatom as main contractor, according to two sources, with a final decision expected late this year or early next year. The contract was awarded to Rosatom in 2014 without tender, and by the first concrete pour in February Hungary had paid over 2 billion euros (about US$2.24 billion). Dropping Rosatom could cost Hungary the 1.1 billion euros already paid plus possible penalties, and no replacement has been named, though one source suggests a European firm could simplify sanctions issues. Rosatom says it is on schedule and has received no official notice, while Budapest still plans to keep nuclear power and is considering extending the life of four Russian-built reactors by 20 years.

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Original headline: Quốc gia thân thiết bất ngờ muốn gạch tên Nga khỏi dự án 14 tỷ USD

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