Amid Russia’s military occupation of Ukraine’s largest nuclear facility and attacks on the country’s power infrastructure, Europe and the United States continue to rely on Russian nuclear fuel for their electricity needs. One of the recipients of low enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia is Canadian-owned Westinghouse Electric, which supplies commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S., as per shipping data analyzed by CBC’s the fifth estate.
Although the U.S. prohibited Russian enriched uranium imports in August 2024 to reduce dependence on Russian material, waivers under the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act allow exceptions if no alternative LEU source is available or if it is in the national interest. These waivers are set to expire by January 1, 2028.
Notably, the European Union has no ban on Russian enriched uranium imports, and Canada has not sanctioned business dealings with Russia’s Rosatom or Tenex amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The U.S. and Europe have historically relied on Russian enriched uranium, with efforts now underway to enhance domestic production and diversify supply chains to reduce dependence on Russian sources.
Westinghouse Electric, a significant player in the U.S. nuclear industry, receives uranium shipments from Russia for processing into fuel pellets at its South Carolina facility. Despite calls for reducing reliance on Russian nuclear entities, challenges remain in transitioning away from Russian supplies in the short term.
While Canada has imposed sanctions on numerous entities and individuals related to Russia, Rosatom and Tenex have not been included in the list. Meanwhile, the EU continues to import significant amounts of enriched uranium from Russia. Efforts are being made to prevent Western companies, including Canadian firms, from engaging with Russian nuclear entities to avoid bolstering Russian state enterprises amid the conflict in Ukraine.