Amidst Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military actions at Ukraine’s largest nuclear facility and assaults 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 for commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S. is Canadian-owned Westinghouse Electric, as revealed by shipping data analyzed by CBC’s investigative unit, the fifth estate.
While the U.S. enforced a ban on Russian enriched uranium imports in August 2024 to reduce dependency and ensure a robust domestic fuel supply, waivers under the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act can be granted if no alternative LEU source is available or if deemed in the national interest. These waivers are set to expire by 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 alone, valued at around $1 billion US. Major recipients included subsidiaries of French-owned Framatome, U.S. nuclear fuel supplier Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the European Union has not imposed a ban on importing Russian enriched uranium, and Canada has not sanctioned business dealings with Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, or its export arm, Tenex.
The fifth estate’s analysis of shipping data between Westinghouse and Tenex revealed multiple uranium shipments from Russia to Westinghouse’s South Carolina plant over the course of the Ukraine conflict.
Westinghouse Electric, majority-owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners, processes enriched uranium into fuel pellets at its South Carolina facility for use in commercial nuclear power reactors. The company did not respond to inquiries for comments on this matter.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not disclose the total amount of uranium purchased from Russia due to data privacy measures. However, Russia remains a significant provider of enriched uranium to the U.S. and Europe.
Efforts are underway to reduce the long-standing reliance on Russian enriched uranium by enhancing domestic production. The U.S. and Europe have historically depended on Russia for a significant portion of enriched uranium supply, necessitating a gradual shift towards alternative sources.
Westinghouse’s involvement in the nuclear industry has garnered attention, with plans for substantial investments in U.S. nuclear reactors. The company’s potential benefits from civil nuclear cooperation agreements, including those with Saudi Arabia, have also been highlighted.
While Canada’s current reactors operate on natural uranium and do not require enrichment, proposed new reactors may necessitate enriched uranium. The government has expressed intentions to support enriched nuclear fuel purchases from allied countries.
Notably, Canada has imposed sanctions against numerous Russian entities and individuals but has not targeted Rosatom or Tenex. Similarly, the European Union has implemented sanctions against Russia but has not prohibited the importation of Russian enriched uranium.
Efforts to prevent Western companies from engaging with Russian state nuclear entities have been emphasized by experts, urging caution in supporting entities tied to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
Support for Ukraine’s energy sector has been demonstrated by companies like Cameco and Westinghouse through long-term agreements and collaborations to provide fuel and build new reactors, reducing reliance on Russian sources. Changes in leadership at Ukraine’s Energoatom have also been noted following corruption allegations.