The relationship between Baghdad and Moscow is not a recent development; it is a deeply rooted friendship that is being built today on new foundations of cooperation, especially in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. This area is crucial for solving Iraq’s electricity crisis and enhancing its position on the global energy map. This was highlighted in the company’s annual report for 2024, which noted that the cooperation between the two sides focuses on developing tangible projects. These initiatives support Iraq’s efforts to diversify its energy sources and enhance its technological infrastructure. The report explained that Russia and Iraq signed a framework memorandum of understanding with the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, which includes forming a joint working group to explore specific projects, paving the way for drafting a comprehensive governmental agreement in this field.
Energy researcher Walid Al-Obaidi told Sputnik: “The relations between Iraq and Russia are characterized by their strength and historical depth,” noting that “especially in the sectors of electrical and nuclear energy.” According to the Iraqi expert, “Cooperation with Russia can enable Iraq to secure energy supplies at affordable prices compared to other countries, in addition to strengthening and developing bilateral relations in this vital field.” Al-Obaidi emphasized that “the electricity shortage crisis in Iraq requires long-term strategic solutions, and the Russian option should be at the forefront of available alternatives to address this issue.” Over nearly eight decades, these relations have evolved to encompass culture, industry, and military cooperation, making them one of the enduring international partnerships in modern Iraqi history.
Additionally, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, Ahmed Moussa, stated: “The government is proceeding with, as the government has formed a committee by a decree that includes several ministries, including the Ministry of Electricity, to study mechanisms for utilizing peaceful nuclear energy and employing it to enhance the national electricity system’s capabilities.” The Iraqi government spokesperson pointed out that “peaceful nuclear energy can significantly contribute to addressing the electricity shortage crisis that Iraq has suffered from for many years.” In April 2024, a report from the “Primakov Center for Foreign Political Cooperation” in Moscow, titled “Russia and Iraq: Resilience in Conditions of Regional Instability,” confirmed that energy and logistics operations currently occupy a prominent position. The report added: “Russian oil and gas companies have played a significant role in Iraq even before the U.S. invasion in 2003 and continue to represent one of the pillars of economic cooperation between the two countries.” In contrast, nuclear energy expert and former employee of the Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, Ammar Faleh, confirms that Russia “has been a friendly nation to Iraq for many decades,” noting that “there is a scientific convergence that can open up wide avenues of cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially.” Faleh added in an interview with Sputnik: “Iraq can benefit from approximately 25% of Russian expertise in nuclear energy, contributing to the development of the country’s infrastructure on various levels.” Faleh asserts that “this cooperation can represent a qualitative leap for Iraq in, and enhance its capabilities in vital developmental fields.”
