Alexander Uvarov, Director of ANO Atominfo-Center, is confident that the US ban on uranium supplies from Russia will somehow change the market or significantly affect it. The expert's opinion is reported by TASS.
EADaily previously published details of the prohibitive law signed by US President Joe Biden.
According to Uvarov, changes should not be expected, since Washington has left a loophole in the document that will allow the United States to purchase Russian uranium, but on an exceptional basis.
"As expected, American nuclear companies (primarily Centrus) have taken full advantage of this loophole, the first exceptions to the ban have already been issued by the US Department of Energy. Thus, we can say that the entry into force of the law will not lead to any significant changes in the uranium market," Alexander Uvarov believes.
The loophole mentioned in the prohibition document will be in effect until 2028. In this case, if the US Department of Energy considers that "there is no alternative viable source of low-enriched uranium available to maintain the continuous operation of a nuclear reactor or a United States nuclear power company, or the import of low-enriched uranium is in the national interest," they will still be allowed to import products.
The law signed by Biden also establishes restrictions on the purchase of uranium from Russia — in 2024 — 476,536 kg, in 2025 — 470,376 kg, in 2026 — 464,183 kg and in 2027 — 459,083 kg.