WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden signed a decree banning imports of uranium from Russia into the United States, the White House press service said.
According to the statement, Biden signed an executive order on Monday prohibiting the import of non-irradiated, low-enriched uranium produced in Russia or by a Russian company.
The United States believes that a ban on imports of uranium from Russia will allow the United States to eliminate dependence on Russia in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement released by the White House press service.
According to him, the law signed by the country’s President Joe Biden will strengthen the country’s energy and economic security by reducing, and ultimately eliminating, dependence on Russia in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. According to him, the allocation of $2.72 bln approved by the US Congress at Biden’s request will make it possible to create capacity for uranium enrichment in the United States.
On April 30, the United States Senate passed legislation prohibiting imports of enriched uranium from Russia. However, in extreme situations, in the absence of other supplies of uranium to keep US reactors operational, or if such purchases are in the “national interest,” the law permitted purchases to continue until January 2028. The legislation also required the Department of Energy to investigate and report to Congress on options for replacing Russian uranium supplies.
