In the midst of Russian military actions in Ukraine, where the largest nuclear plant is under occupation, Europe and the United States continue to rely on Russian nuclear fuel to operate their electricity grids.
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., as per shipping data analyzed by CBC’s investigative unit, the fifth estate.
The U.S. government prohibited Russian enriched uranium imports in August 2024 to reduce dependence and ensure a strong domestic fuel supply. However, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act permits waivers if no alternative LEU source is available or if importation serves the national interest, with waivers set to expire by January 1, 2028.
According to the Bellona Environmental Transparency Center, the U.S. imported 400 tonnes of low enriched uranium from Russia in 2025 alone, valued at approximately $1 billion US. Major recipients included subsidiaries of French-owned Framatome, Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse.
While the U.S. took steps to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, the European Union has not banned the import of Russian enriched uranium, and Canada has not imposed restrictions on doing business with Rosatom or Tenex.
To mitigate dependence on Russia, industry experts emphasize the need for countries to decrease collaboration with Russian entities and seek alternative sources of nuclear fuel.
Shipping data analysis between Westinghouse and Tenex revealed ongoing uranium exports from Russia to the U.S., where the material is processed into fuel pellets for commercial nuclear power reactors.
Efforts are underway to reduce the decades-long reliance on Russian enriched uranium in the U.S. and Europe by boosting domestic production and diversifying sources, though it poses challenges due to the extensive infrastructure tied to Russian supply.
Westinghouse, a prominent player in the U.S. nuclear sector, is owned by Brookfield Corporation and Cameco Corporation. Both companies did not respond to queries for this report.
The push for self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production is evident as countries like Canada and the U.S. explore options to bolster their domestic fuel supplies and reduce dependence on Russian imports.