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Russia restricts enriched uranium exports to the United States

Russia has imposed constraints on the export of enriched uranium to the United States, the government stated on Friday, producing supply risks for U.S. nuclear power plants which in 2015 imported a quarter of their enriched uranium from the nation.

Russia stated the short-term limitations were a reaction to Washington's ban on imports of Russian uranium, which was signed into law earlier this year, however consisted of waivers enabling deliveries to continue in case of supply concerns through 2027.

Russia is the world's sixth largest uranium manufacturer and controls about 44% of global uranium enrichment capacity. In 2023, the U.S. and China topped the list of Russian uranium importers, followed by South Korea and France.

President Vladimir Putin told a federal government conference on Sept. 11 that Moscow should consider limiting exports of uranium, titanium and nickel in retaliation for Western sanctions.

The government's decree on Friday was the very first follow up action to Putin's statement in September.

Russia accounted for 27% of the enriched uranium supplied to U.S. business atomic power plants in 2015. Imports to the U.S. from Russia through July this year stood at 313,050 kilograms ( 690,160 pound), down 30% from last year.

It is unclear whether the U.S. has actually imported any uranium from Russia after the U.S. restriction took effect in August. The Russian government's decree says companies authorized by the export control watchdog can still export uranium to the United States.

The U.S. is probing a surge in imports of enriched uranium from China considering that late 2023 amidst concerns the deliveries are helping Moscow avoid a U.S. ban on imports of the power plant fuel from Russia.

(source: Reuters)