Russia is pouring $25 billion into constructing Turkey’s first-ever nuclear power plant, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant—a massive project set to reshape the country’s energy landscape.

The plant, fully financed, built, and to be operated by Russia, is seen by Ankara as a major leap toward energy independence and economic growth. However, the move has raised eyebrows within NATO, where officials worry the facility could become a geopolitical lever for Moscow amid escalating tensions with the West.

The project highlights a century-long relationship between Russia and Turkey—one that blends cooperation with strategic rivalry—and could have lasting implications for regional stability and NATO’s future dynamics.