Despite western penalties, in 2024 the European Union paid Russia 700 million euros for the nuclear fuel supply.
This week’s European Commission will offer new steps for a complete abandonment of Russian fossil fuel, as well as the framework of plans for gradual removal of Russian nuclear nuclear products. The Financial Times reported this on Monday, June 16.
At the same time, Brussels admitted that for complete independence from the Russian Federation in this area it would take decades and at least € 241 billion investments. Hungary and Slovakia remain the largest opponent of such changes.
After a full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation, EU countries are already paying more than € 200 billion for gasoline from Russia. Although coal and oil supply under penalties, they plan to stop completely by 2027, nuclear fuel remains a “weak link” – in 2024, almost € 700 million paid for it.
The EU operates 101 nuclear reactors, of which 19 Vver Soviet types, partly or entirely dependent on the Russian Federation in providing uranium, spare parts and maintenance. Now import blocks from Russia of approximately 20-25% of natural, converted and enriched uranium.
The European Commission aims to completely get rid of the Russian nuclear fuel in the 2030s, however, the recently published document says it requires an investment of € 241 billion for developing the internal nuclear supply chain.
Energy Ministers will discuss this issue on Monday. The document emphasizes that the EU countries have begun the variety of resources -they consider Kazakhstan, Canada and Niger, but Niger’s uneasy is concerned about the safety of supplies.
Converting uranium is also a problem, as this stage has traditionally remained outside the EU due to low profitability and high environmental risk.
The Russian Federation currently controls 55% of the Uranus global enrichment market, where part of European companies Orano And Urenco is about 40%.
Hope of knowledge and ingredients for vver reactors remains, the oldest of which has operated since 1977. The creation of a new EU production base for parts corresponding to strict security standards takes time.
Hungary remains a difficult case. In 2014 the country signed a contract with Rosatom For the construction of two new power units of nuclear power plants, which should be covered up to 75% of the country’s electricity needs. Despite negotiations with suppliers from France and the USA, Budapest has not yet begun Russia’s fuel abandonment.
Slovakia is also opposed. In a joint statement, ministers of the same country emphasized that a gradual decline will lead to “higher and unstable price” and threaten energy security.
In Brussels, they make sure: Slowly paying for prices, it is possible to avoid. At the same time, rather than penalties (which require unity), the denial of Russian nuclear fuel can be accepted as a trading measure – a qualified majority of countries.
Remember that in 2024 the EU spent 39% more than importing Russian fossil fuel than he provided for Ukraine.
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Source: korrespondent
I’m Liza Grey, an experienced news writer and author at the Buna Times. I specialize in writing about economic issues, with a focus on uncovering stories that have a positive impact on society. With over seven years of experience in the news industry, I am highly knowledgeable about current events and the ways in which they affect our daily lives.