Russia imposes restrictions on uranium exports to the United States

Russia imposes temporary restrictions on the export of low-enriched uranium to the United States. The government's decision has entered into force.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree on November 14 that imposes temporary restrictions on the export of low-enriched uranium (uranium enriched with the isotope uranium-235) to the United States. We are talking about supplies to The United States or under foreign trade agreements concluded with persons registered in American jurisdiction.

Exceptions will be granted under one-time licenses, which will be issued by the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control.

In May of this year, the US Congress passed, and the president signed, a law banning the import of low-enriched uranium from Russia. In August, the document entered into force, but it assumes exceptions until 2028, which were used by American companies. For example, Centrus Energy.

Russia is not a major producer of uranium, but its global share in enrichment and conversion exceeds a third. American nuclear power plants produce 20% of electricity in the United States and are provided with low-enriched uranium from Russia. American uranium purchases in Russia in 2023 is estimated at $ 1.2 billion.

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed to consider restricting exports to unfriendly countries so that it does not harm Russia itself.

The government's website says that the restrictions are imposed on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a response to the restrictions imposed by the United States in 2024-2027 and a ban from 2028 on the import of uranium products from the Russian Federation.