Amid the Russian military’s occupation of Ukraine’s largest nuclear plant and attacks on the country’s power infrastructure, Europe and the United States continue to rely on Russian nuclear fuel for their electricity generation needs.
Data analyzed by CBC’s investigative arm, the fifth estate, reveals that Canadian-owned Westinghouse Electric is one of the recipients of low enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia, used to fuel commercial nuclear reactors in the U.S.
Although the U.S. prohibited the import of Russian enriched uranium in August 2024 to reduce dependency on Russian materials, the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act allows waivers for cases where no alternative LEU source is available or if it is in the national interest. These waivers are set to expire by January 1, 2028.
In 2025 alone, the U.S. imported 400 tonnes of low enriched uranium from Russia, valued at approximately $1 billion US. Major recipients included subsidiaries of French-owned Framatome, U.S.-based Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, and Westinghouse.
While the European Union does not ban the import of Russian enriched uranium, Canada has not sanctioned business dealings with Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, Rosatom, or its export arm, Tenex.
Efforts are being made to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, with calls for canceling cooperation. The U.S. and Europe have long depended on Russian enriched uranium, with initiatives to boost domestic production as part of reducing this dependence.
Westinghouse Electric, a significant player in the U.S. nuclear industry, is partly owned by Brookfield Renewable Partners and Cameco Corporation. Despite lobbying efforts on the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, Cameco stated it does not handle enriched uranium and directed inquiries to U.S. utilities.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration does not disclose the total uranium purchases from Russia due to data privacy protections. Russia has been a major supplier of low-enriched uranium, emphasizing its importance in global supply chains.
Plans are underway to bolster domestic production to reduce reliance on Russian nuclear fuel. Westinghouse aims to invest in U.S. nuclear reactors, while Canada, with its CANDU reactors fueled by natural uranium, may require enriched uranium for proposed new reactors.
Support for Ukraine is highlighted, with agreements signed by Cameco and Westinghouse to supply uranium and nuclear fuel. Efforts are ongoing to reduce engagement with Russian state nuclear entities and strengthen support for Ukraine’s energy independence.