US President signs executive order banning uranium imports from Russia

On May 14, TASS reported that the White House Press Agency said that US President Joe Biden signed an executive order banning the import of uranium from Russia to the US.

According to the above statement, on May 13 (US time), Mr. Biden signed an executive order prohibiting the import of non-irradiated, low-enriched uranium produced by Russia or by a Russian company.

The United States believes that a ban on uranium imports from Russia will allow the United States to eliminate its 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 Mr. Sullivan, the bill signed by President Joe Biden will strengthen America's economic and energy security by reducing and eventually eliminating dependence on Russia for peaceful nuclear energy. In addition, the allocation of $2.72 billion approved by the US Congress at Biden's request will help create uranium enrichment capacity in the US.

Previously, on April 30, the US Senate passed a law banning the import of enriched uranium from Russia. However, in special situations, when there is no other source of uranium to maintain the operation of US reactors or if such purchases serve the "national interest", the law allows continued purchases until January 2028. The law also requires the Department of Energy to investigate and report to Congress on alternatives to Russian uranium supplies.

Responding to media questions, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said the US ban on uranium imports from Russia is leading to new chaos in international economic relations.

"The US administration continues its ineffective policy aimed at inflicting strategic economic defeat on us. The current attack - aimed not only at Russia but also at the world market for uranium fuel used in nuclear power plants - leads to new shocks in international economic relations. The fragile balance between exporters and importers of uranium products is under threat," he said.

According to Ambassador Antonov, Washington does not have the capacity to enrich uranium and is therefore harming its own economy. Moreover, the financial losses for the US will be much greater than for Russia. However, the main thing for US strategists is to harm Russia.

"The US administration's sanctions policy did not lead to the desired results. Reality has shown that the Russian economy is ready for any challenges and quickly copes with emerging difficulties, even benefits from the situation. This time it will be the same," Antonov added.