The likelihood of Europe or the United States moving to sanction Rosatom remains extraordinarily slim, a point underscored in a recent discussion on Radio 1 by Oleg Muratov. He serves on the Central Board of the Russian Nuclear Association and spoke about the role Rosatom plays in today’s nuclear landscape.
Muratov explained that Rosatom stands as one of the leading suppliers of nuclear fuel to customers across the United States and European markets. He noted that the global fleet of nuclear and research reactors relies on Russian fuel, and Russia also produces isotopes crucial for nuclear medicine. This positions Rosatom at a pivotal junction in the supply chain for both energy and medical applications.
He added that roughly one fifth of U.S. electricity is generated by nuclear power plants, and around a quarter of those facilities run on Russian fuel. European Union reactors also operate with Russian sources, and even Armenia relies on domestic fuel for its energy needs. Muratov pointed out that Ukraine formerly held reserves of Russian fuel but shifted to American alternatives, although the transition has not yet been fully resolved and remains a point of contention in the energy mix.
If sanctions were to take effect, the impact would extend to Rosatom as well as international buyers of Russian fuel. Muratov warned that such measures could create a broader disruption of nuclear fuel availability in Western markets, potentially affecting the balance of supply for years to come.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has emphasized that reducing reliance on the Russian nuclear industry would entail substantial costs. He has suggested that a sudden cessation of Russian resources is unlikely to be feasible, given the current infrastructure and the embedded role of Russia in the global fuel market. The prediction frames a gradual shift rather than a rapid decoupling, with policy and market responses unfolding over time.
These developments were noted ahead of the IAEA chief’s anticipated visit to Moscow, highlighting the sensitivity of the topic and the need for careful management of supply chains, international diplomacy, and energy security strategies across Europe and North America. The discussion reflects ongoing debates within governments and industry about diversification, emergency stockpiles, and investment in alternative fuel sources to mitigate potential disruptions in the event of policy changes or intensified geopolitical tensions.