Russia restricts enriched uranium exports to the United States

16/11/2024 6:20

        Russia has imposed restrictions on the export of enriched uranium to the United States, the government said on Friday, creating supply risks for U.S. nuclear power plants which last year imported a quarter of their enriched uranium from the country.
        
        Russia said the temporary restrictions were a response to Washington's ban on imports of Russian uranium, which was signed into law earlier this year, but contained waivers allowing for shipments to continue in case of supply concerns through 2027.
        
        Russia is the world's sixth largest uranium producer and controls about 44% of global uranium enrichment capacity. In 2023, the U.S. and China topped the list of Russian uranium importers, followed by South Korea and France.
        
        President Vladimir Putin told a government meeting on Sept. 11 that Moscow should consider limiting exports of uranium, titanium and nickel in retaliation for Western sanctions.
        
        The government's decree on Friday was the first follow up action to Putin's statement in September.