No Back Door for Rosatom: Stop Russia’s Entry Into Nuclear Fuel Production in Germany

Germany faces a critical decision regarding the potential entry of Russia into its nuclear fuel production, particularly in Lower Saxony's Lingen project. This partnership involves the French company Framatome, which intends to work alongside Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear corporation. The Lingen project presents significant questions about Europe's energy security and strategic autonomy, as it could reestablish Russian technological influence in the region.

Rosatom, through its subsidiary TVEL, is the world's leading supplier of fuel for Soviet-designed nuclear reactors. These reactors are operational in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Finland. The German government's decision to permit this project is not merely a technical licensing matter; it carries profound geopolitical implications.

Russia has a history of using energy partnerships as leverage, exerting pressure on countries through natural gas and nuclear sectors. By entering the nuclear fuel production in Europe, Rosatom aims to create dependencies that could be exploited for political influence and strategic pressure. The Czech Republic has already taken steps to reduce its reliance on Rosatom, selecting alternative fuel suppliers like Westinghouse and Framatome.

However, the Lingen project raises concerns about the potential re-emergence of Russian technological dependency. If Framatome's VVER fuel is produced using Rosatom/TVEL technology, this could reinsert Russian influence into the Czech and wider European fuel supply chain. This scenario would not constitute genuine diversification but rather a rebranding of dependency, potentially more convenient for political reasons.

Proponents of the project argue that Europe should not replace Rosatom's monopoly with another entity under Kremlin control. While this concern is valid, it risks oversimplifying the debate. European companies can acquire the necessary expertise and industrial capacity through partnerships with Western technology providers, rather than with Russian state-owned enterprises. The Czech example demonstrates this possibility, showing that European nations can successfully diversify their nuclear fuel supplies.

The involvement of Russian personnel in the Lingen project further complicates the issue. In spring 2024, around 20 Rosatom specialists traveled to Lingen to deliver equipment and train local staff for the planned fuel assembly production. While Framatome has officially denied the presence of Russian specialists, the controversy surrounding their involvement underscores the project's geopolitical significance.

Rosatom's role extends beyond energy; it has been implicated in Russia's military control of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Investigations have revealed that Rosatom's corporate structures were utilized to support Russian occupation and human rights abuses. Consequently, the Lingen project is not merely an economic initiative but a geopolitical undertaking of immense strategic importance, posing considerable risks to European energy security and sovereignty.