Russia has imposed restrictions on the export of enriched uranium to the United States
Russia has imposed restrictions on the supply of enriched uranium to the United States, which could affect the operation of American nuclear power plants, which last year depended on Russian uranium imports for a quarter. About this writes Reuters.
According to the Russian government, these measures are a response to Washington’s ban on Russian uranium, which was passed earlier this year. Despite the ban, the law provides for exceptions allowing continued supplies until 2027 in case of supply problems.
Russia is the sixth largest producer of uranium in the world, and also owns 44% of the world’s capacity for its enrichment. In 2023, the USA and China became the main importers of Russian uranium, and South Korea and France were also among the buyers.
The restriction is the first step since Putin announced in September that he proposed limiting exports of strategic resources such as uranium, titanium and nickel in response to Western sanctions. Last year, Russia supplied 27% of the enriched uranium needed by American nuclear reactors, but in 2023, exports to the US decreased by 30%, reaching 313,050 kilograms.
It is not known whether uranium has flown from Russia to the US since the ban took effect in August. The decree of the Russian government allows export under the conditions determined by the controlling authorities.
In addition, the US is investigating increased imports of enriched uranium from China, which began in late 2023. This has raised concerns in Washington, as such supplies could be used to circumvent the US ban on imports of Russian fuel for nuclear power plants.
