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| Russian nuclear fuel remains free from EU sanctions. (Source: Shutterstock) |
The EU continues to rely on supplies of nuclear fuel to power Russian-designed VVER reactors used by Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary and Slovakia, the report said. The five countries purchased 30% more conversion services from Russia and 22% more enrichment for their reactors last year compared to 2021.
According to ESA, this year's imports are likely to surpass those in 2021.
“EU members that are not dependent on Russia are trying to reduce their dependence further. On the other hand, there are countries that are completely dependent on Russian fuel and are increasing their fuel reserves to prepare for supply disruptions,” the agency’s representative informed.
Nuclear power accounts for around 10% of the EU's energy consumption, with France, Sweden and Belgium among the bloc's biggest producers.
Russia’s nuclear sector has not been sanctioned by the EU so far. However, some member states have previously proposed adding restrictions on imports of nuclear fuel from Moscow to the next round of sanctions.
However, the imposition of EU sanctions requires the unanimous consent of all 27 member states. Hungary and Slovakia have repeatedly stressed that they will not support restrictions on the sector.
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