The US Senate has taken decisive action to ban uranium imports from Russia, signaling a significant escalation in efforts to pressure Moscow’s war economy following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
The bill, previously passed by the US House of Representatives in December, received unanimous support from senators during Tuesday’s vote. It is anticipated that President Joe Biden will sign the bill into law.
Under the terms of the legislation, the ban on uranium imports from Russia will come into effect 90 days after its enactment and is scheduled to remain in place until December 31, 2040. The bill includes provisions for waivers in specific situations relating to energy and national security concerns.
Senator Jim Risch, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the imperative of reducing America’s reliance on Russian enriched uranium for the sake of national security. “America’s dangerous reliance on Russian enriched uranium must come to an end — our national security depends on it,” Senator Risch stated.
Echoing these sentiments, Senator John Barrasso, another co-sponsor, highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and its potential to undermine Russia’s war efforts. “Our bipartisan legislation will help defund Russia’s war machine,” Senator Barrasso remarked.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, American nuclear plants imported approximately 12% of their uranium from Russia in 2022, coinciding with the period when Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine.
The ban on uranium imports from Russia represents the latest in a series of measures taken by Washington in response to Moscow’s aggression. Previous actions include the prohibition of Russian oil imports and the imposition of price caps on Russian energy exports.
The Senate’s vote underscores the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine and exerting pressure on Russia in the face of ongoing conflict. By targeting key sectors of Russia’s economy, the US aims to demonstrate solidarity with its allies and deter further aggression in the region.