In the midst of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military presence at Ukraine’s largest nuclear facility and attacks on the nation’s power systems, both Europe and the United States rely on Russian nuclear fuel to sustain their electricity networks.
Westinghouse Electric, a Canadian-owned entity, is one of the recipients of low enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia for fueling commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S., according to shipping data scrutinized by CBC’s the fifth estate.
Although the U.S. enforced a ban on Russian enriched uranium imports in August 2024 to reduce reliance on Russian resources, waivers provided under the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act allow exceptions if no alternative LEU source is available or if deemed in the national interest. These waivers are set to expire by January 1, 2028.
Reports from the Bellona Environmental Transparency Center in Vilnius, Lithuania, indicate that the U.S. procured 400 tonnes of low enriched uranium from Russia in 2025, valued at approximately $1 billion US. Major recipients included subsidiaries of Framatome, Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse.
While the European Union has no restrictions on Russian enriched uranium imports, Canada has not sanctioned dealings with Russia’s Rosatom or Tenex export arm amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Efforts are being made to reduce dependence on Russian nuclear resources, with calls for canceling cooperation with Russia across all countries. The U.S. has been a major recipient of Russian low-enriched uranium, emphasizing the need to diversify energy sources and bolster domestic fuel production.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration refrains from disclosing the exact amount of uranium purchased from Russia due to data privacy safeguards. However, Russia remains a significant provider of uranium enrichment services to the U.S., highlighting the strategic importance of diversifying energy supply chains.
The long-standing reliance on Russian enriched uranium by the U.S. and Europe necessitates a gradual shift towards domestic production and alternative suppliers. Westinghouse’s involvement in the U.S. nuclear industry underscores the need to bolster national energy security and reduce dependence on foreign resources.