In the midst of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military presence at Ukraine’s largest nuclear facility and assaults on the nation’s power infrastructure, Europe and the United States continue to rely on Russian nuclear fuel for their electricity needs.
Westinghouse Electric, a Canadian-owned company, is among those receiving low enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia to fuel commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S., as per shipping data analyzed by CBC’s investigative team, the fifth estate.
Although the U.S. prohibited the import of Russian enriched uranium in August 2024 to reduce dependency on Russian resources and ensure a secure domestic fuel supply, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act allows for waivers under specific circumstances. These waivers are set to expire by January 1, 2028.
According to a report from the Bellona Environmental Transparency Center in Vilnius, Lithuania, the U.S. imported 400 tonnes of low enriched uranium from Russia in 2025 alone, valued at around $1 billion US. Major recipients included subsidiaries of French-owned Framatome, U.S.-based Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse.
While the European Union has no ban on importing Russian enriched uranium, Canada has not sanctioned business dealings with Russia’s state atomic energy corporation Rosatom or its export arm, Tenex.
Experts emphasize the importance of reducing reliance on Russian resources and urge countries to terminate cooperation with Russia in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Westinghouse’s South Carolina facility processes the enriched uranium into fuel pellets for use in commercial nuclear power reactors. The company, partly owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco Corporation, plays a significant role in the U.S. nuclear industry.
Efforts are being made by Western governments and industry players to reduce the decades-long dependency on Russian enriched uranium by boosting domestic production. Russia currently supplies a significant portion of global enriched uranium, with the U.S. and Europe heavily relying on these imports.
Despite the push for diversification, countries like Canada are considering new reactors that would require enriched uranium, highlighting the need for alternative fuel sources.
It is crucial for Western companies, including Canadian firms, to avoid engaging with Russian state nuclear entities to prevent further support to Moscow’s actions against Ukraine.
Support for Ukraine is evident as companies like Cameco and Westinghouse have signed agreements to supply fuel and aid in the development of new reactors, aiming to reduce reliance on Russian resources in the country’s nuclear sector.