The shift became apparent on September 2 when the presidential press service issued a detailed project update that conspicuously omitted any mention of the Russian state nuclear entity. Instead, the government announced plans to establish a joint venture to conduct independent assessments and tighten technical oversight. This move suggests that Moscow’s role as the sole architect of the facility is under review as Tashkent seeks to exert more control over the complex construction process.

Financial friction and localization targets appear to be the primary drivers of this cooling relationship. The current plan requires the construction of two 1-gigawatt reactors and two smaller 55-megawatt models, a massive undertaking for which funding remains uncertain. Mirziyoyev has publicly criticized the current level of local involvement, noting that the 21 percent share currently allocated to domestic production is insufficient. He has ordered officials to boost that figure to 30 percent and ensure that national enterprises handle 65 percent of installation work. Amid these tensions, Mirziyoyev has held back-to-back meetings with U.S. Senator Steve Daines, further fueling speculation that Uzbekistan may be exploring alternatives as the Trump administration pushes its own nuclear cooperation agenda in Central Asia.