EU to delay nuclear fuel curbs, focuses on Russian gas ban

The European Commission will delay proposed measures targeting Russian nuclear fuel, focusing instead on a new legal plan to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said on Monday.

The Commission had previously indicated it would also propose trade restrictions on Russian enriched uranium in June to encourage diversification of nuclear fuel suppliers. However, Jorgensen confirmed that nuclear measures will follow at a later stage due to the complexity of ensuring secure alternative supplies.

“We need to be very sure that we are not putting countries in a situation where they do not have the security of supply,” Jorgensen told reporters.

Russia supplied 38 per cent of the EU’s enriched uranium and 23 per cent of its raw uranium in 2023, according to the Bruegel think tank.

Despite pressure to cut ties, the EU has not set a firm timeline for ending reliance on Russian nuclear inputs, unlike its gas phaseout deadline.

The EU spent €23 billion on Russian energy in 2024, including around €1 billion on nuclear fuel.

Five EU countries—Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary and Slovakia—operate Russian-designed reactors. All but Hungary have secured alternative fuel contracts, but long lead times prevent immediate transition.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: Y.Yasser