nuclear-news

Germany, Poland and others are pushing for new sanctions on Russia’s nuclear energy.

CNBC, APR 19 2023, Silvia Amaro @SILVIA_AMARO

• In a document seen by CNBC, Poland and the Baltic States called for sanctions on the civil nuclear energy activities too.
• According to data published by Europe’s statistics office Eurostat in 2021 — the year that preceded Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — Moscow was the third biggest provider of uranium to the EU.
• Asked whether a new set of actions to target Russia would feature nuclear energy, a spokesperson for the European Commission said the institution has no comment on ongoing confidential discussions.

…………………………………… “Across the EU, we must keep making ourselves independent from Russia,” Robert Habeck, the German economy and climate minister, said over the weekend.

“The nuclear sector is still outstanding. It is not justifiable that this area is still given preferential treatment. Nuclear technology is an extremely sensitive area, and Russia can no longer be seen as reliable partner within it,” he said.

In a document seen by CNBC, Poland and the Baltic States also called for sanctions on civil nuclear energy activities.

“Between March and December 2022, Russia exported just over $1 billion-worth of materials and technology of relevance to the nuclear energy sector,” the Royal United Services Institute, a think tank, said in a report in February.

“This trade included exports to members of NATO and the EU. In fact, not only has the value of Russian nuclear-related exports not shrunk since February 2022, the data reviewed by the author suggests that it may be expanding, with a handful of loyal customers still eager to do business with Russia’s nuclear sector,” the same report said.

According to data published by Europe’s statistics office Eurostat in 2021 — the year before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — Moscow was the third biggest provider of uranium to the EU.

Ukrainian officials, as well as environmental groups, have previously criticized how the European Union has so far not curbed nuclear revenues for the Kremlin.

……………………… Further highlighting the complexity of the matter, Hungary announced in August that it would build two new nuclear reactors with the Russia state-owned firm Rosatom.

April 21, 2023 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | EUROPE, politics international