German "u-turn" – Returning to Russian nuclear technology via Rosatom

Despite the European Union's hard political stance against Russia, Germany has approved the production of nuclear fuel using Russian technology at the French Framatome plant in Lingen, highlighting Europe's struggle to sever ties with the Russian nuclear industry. According to a report by Izvestia, authorities in the state of Lower Saxony gave the "green light" for the production of fuel destined for VVER-type reactors, in collaboration with the Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom.

New production line using Russian technology

The facility belongs to Advanced Nuclear Fuels (ANF), a subsidiary of France's Framatome. To launch the new manufacturing activity, part of the facilities will be modernized, while new equipment will be installed for the assembly and quality control of nuclear fuel. According to German media, the equipment operating under Russian license has already been transferred to Germany and placed in a separate building adjacent to the main facilities, while ANF personnel have completed the necessary operational training.

Europe continues to buy Russian enriched uranium

The report contends that Russia maintains a dominant position in the European nuclear fuel market, not only as a fuel supplier for VVER reactors but also through uranium enrichment services. During the first four months of the year, enriched uranium imports from Russia to the European Union were, according to Izvestia, eight times higher compared to the corresponding period last year. France remained the largest buyer, with imports valued at €141.2 million, followed by Germany at €13.8 million and the Netherlands at approximately €8.6 million.

"Europe cannot immediately abandon Russian technology"

The Vice President of the Russian Association of Exporters and Importers, Irina Zasedatel, told Izvestia that nuclear sector cooperation cannot be restricted through unilateral national decisions, but solely via sanctions at the European Union level. However, as she noted, the necessary unanimity among member states to impose nuclear sanctions does not currently exist. "Despite Berlin's critical stance toward cooperation with Russia, it is forced to take this reality into account," she argued, adding that Europe cannot abandon Russian nuclear technologies overnight, as the safe operation of existing nuclear power plants is at stake.

Strategic benefit for Russia

For her part, the Vice President of the analytical firm Borsell, Olga Veretennikova, estimated that the project holds exceptional technological and strategic importance for Russia. As she noted, it confirms that Russian expertise remains in demand by European companies and helps preserve Russia's footprint in the European nuclear market.

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