Amid the military actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, including the occupation of the country’s largest nuclear plant and attacks on its power infrastructure, Europe and the United States continue to rely on Russian nuclear fuel for their electricity generation.
Westinghouse Electric, a Canadian-owned company, is one of the recipients of low enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia for fueling commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S., as revealed by shipping data analyzed by CBC’s investigative program, the fifth estate.
While the U.S. took the step to ban the import of Russian enriched uranium in August 2024 to reduce dependency on Russian materials and ensure a robust domestic fuel supply, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act allows for waivers under specific circumstances until January 1, 2028.
According to a report by the Bellona Environmental Transparency Center in Vilnius, Lithuania, the U.S. imported 400 tonnes of low enriched uranium from Russia in 2025, valued at approximately $1 billion US. Notable recipients include subsidiaries of Framatome, Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse.
Despite the situation in Ukraine, the European Union has not imposed a ban on the import of Russian enriched uranium, and Canada has not sanctioned business dealings with Russia’s state atomic energy corporation Rosatom or its export entity, Tenex.
Efforts to reduce dependence on Russian nuclear resources have been emphasized, with calls for countries to terminate cooperation with Russia in this sector. The analysis of shipping data between Westinghouse and Tenex has shed light on the uranium trade dynamics between the two entities.
In a recent shipment, Tenex delivered 50,612 kilograms of uranium to Westinghouse in the U.S., where it is processed into fuel pellets for use in commercial nuclear power reactors. Despite these dependencies, steps are being taken to enhance domestic production and diversify supply sources.
Westinghouse, a significant player in the U.S. nuclear industry, operates in partnership with companies like Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco Corporation. Lobbying efforts and long-standing dependencies on Russian enriched uranium highlight the complexities involved in transitioning to alternative suppliers.
The need to support Ukraine and strengthen ties in the nuclear sector has prompted agreements between companies like Cameco and Energoatom. However, concerns persist regarding the financial support flowing into Russian state enterprises amidst geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
Efforts to bolster domestic infrastructure and diversify supply chains are underway, aiming to reduce reliance on Russian enriched uranium and enhance energy security for Western nations.