The EU is postponing the abandonment of Russian nuclear technologies, despite announced plans to limit fossil fuel imports
Kyiv • UNN
The EU is preparing for a complete rejection of fossil fuel imports from Russia, but plans regarding uranium are being postponed for now. Sanctions are in effect, however, the EU is still dependent on Russian nuclear technologies.
Plans to stop importing Russian energy do not yet correlate with the abandonment of uranium products - the latter is being postponed for the time being.
UNN reports with reference to Financial Times.
Details
The EU is taking further steps to reduce energy dependence on Russia. This week, Brussels will announce legal measures to completely stop the import of Russian fossil fuels to the European Union.
But plans to wean the bloc off a smaller but much more cunning dependency - Russian nuclear technology - are being postponed for the time being.
So, uranium remains a problem. According to the FT, EU ministers want to discuss investments in nuclear energy at the next meeting at the beginning of this week. Measures are planned regarding the Russian import of enriched uranium in the context of restrictions on new supply contracts. According to the European Commission, relevant proposals will be submitted and discussed in June.
Sanctions are in place, but Europe is still strengthening Russia's economy
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, EU countries have paid Russia more than 200 billion euros for fuel. It is known that imports of coal and oil have fallen under sanctions. Moreover, gas imports are to be stopped by 2027.
The problems of Russian nuclear imports are more complex.
According to the Bruegel analytical center, nuclear fuel accounts for only about 700 million euros out of the 22 billion euros paid to Russia in 2024. However, officials warn that there is a risk to the EU's energy security. A number of countries believe that Moscow is able to suddenly stop supplies.
The uranium supply chain is significantly complex from a technical point of view, warns Ben McWilliams, a research fellow at Bruegel on climate and energy issues.
Technically speaking, the uranium supply chain is very complex.
According to the expert, a gradual abandonment is needed here.
Reference
The EU has 101 nuclear reactors, 19 of which are Soviet VVER reactors.
The European bloc relies on Russia for the supply of about 20-25% of its natural, converted and enriched uranium.
Reactors across the EU often purchase Russian spare parts or require maintenance expertise.
Addition
As part of sanctions against the Russian economy, US President Joe Biden introduced a ban in 2024 on the import of enriched uranium from Russia, with some exceptions.
As a result, Russia introduced a ban on the supply of enriched uranium to nuclear power plants in the United States.
Recall
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that no additional damage was detected after Israel's strikes at Iran's enrichment facilities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is planning further attacks against Ukrainian energy, in particular, there is a threat to the infrastructure of nuclear generation.