In December 2023, the US Congress attempted to ban imports of Russian uranium as part of sanctions against Moscow over Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, according to RT today, February 9.
The bill stalled in the US Senate while purchases of Russian uranium doubled in December 2023 compared to the previous month to $193.2 million, bringing the total value of US uranium imports from Russia in 2023 to a new record of $1.2 billion (up 43%), according to RIA Novosti.
Gas centrifuge for separating uranium isotopes at the Ural Electrochemical Complex in Russia
Russia remains the top supplier of uranium to the US in terms of monetary value, RIA Novosti reported. Based on volume, Russia is the fourth-largest supplier of uranium to the US, with Canada taking the top spot, according to calculations by US-based S&P Global.
The United States has its own uranium reserves, but not enough to fuel its nuclear power industry. According to the US Department of Energy, nuclear power accounts for nearly 20% of the electricity generated in the country.
Russia has the world’s largest uranium enrichment complex, accounting for nearly half of global capacity. By some estimates, it would take at least five years of major investment for the United States to break its dependence on imports of enriched uranium from Russia, which is used to fuel nuclear reactors.
Previously, AFP reported on January 7 that the British government announced it would invest 300 million pounds in a program to produce a type of uranium fuel that could help the country "replace" Russia in the global energy market.
"We have stood up to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin in the oil and gas and financial markets. We will not be blackmailed by him over nuclear fuel," said UK Energy Security and Carbon Neutrality Minister Claire Coutinho.
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