Russia is turning towards countries in the Middle East and Asia as it looks for nuclear projects in the face of “increased caution from Europe and the US, state news agency Tass reported.

Tass quoted an official from state nuclear corporation Rosatom as saying there are “huge barriers” to the implementation of some nuclear projects, but countries including Vietnam, India, China and the United Arab Emirates are all potential markets, with Moscow “seriously thinking” about increasing technical cooperation and industrial cooperation.

The official said Russia was planning to increase cooperation on training, research and development with as many as six universities in China.