The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the reliance of Europe and the United States on Russian nuclear fuel, despite the current situation where Russian forces have taken control of Ukraine’s largest nuclear plant and targeted its power infrastructure.
One of the recipients of low enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia is Canadian-owned Westinghouse Electric, which uses this fuel for commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S. The U.S. had previously banned the import of Russian enriched uranium in August 2024 to reduce dependency on Russian materials and ensure a stable domestic fuel supply. However, waivers under the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act allow exceptions in cases where no alternative viable source of LEU is available or when the import is deemed to be in the national interest. These waivers are set to expire by January 1, 2028.
According to a report by the Bellona Environmental Transparency Center, the U.S. imported around 400 tonnes of low enriched uranium from Russia in 2025, with major recipients including Framatome subsidiaries, Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse. While the U.S. has taken steps to limit its reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, the European Union has not imposed a ban on importing Russian enriched uranium. Canada, on the other hand, has not sanctioned business dealings with Russia’s state atomic energy corporation Rosatom or its export arm, Tenex.
Amid calls to reduce dependence on Russian nuclear fuel, efforts are being made to increase domestic production and diversify energy sources. Westinghouse Electric, a significant player in the U.S. nuclear industry, is partially owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco Corporation. Despite lobbying efforts and discussions around energy security, the issue of reliance on Russian nuclear material remains a complex challenge that countries are grappling with.
The situation underscores the importance of energy independence and the need to explore alternative sources of nuclear fuel to mitigate geopolitical risks and vulnerabilities associated with relying on a single supplier.