Russia stays in ITER nuclear fusion project despite EU sanctions

Despite European Union sanctions and deteriorating relations with Brussels, Russia continues to take part in ITER, the world’s largest nuclear fusion experiment.

According to a report by Euronews television, this situation represents a rare example of cooperation in the ongoing crisis between Moscow and the West.

Following the war in Ukraine, the EU decided to reduce its dependence on Russian energy resources. Accordingly, Russian state institutions were excluded from various scientific programmes, and the provision of Russian funding to European scientific bodies was prohibited.

In contrast, ITER rules do not permit the expulsion of participating states from the project.

Owing to this legal structure, Moscow retains its 9.1% share in the venture. The Russian government continues to provide specialist personnel and technological support, while Russian engineers work alongside their European counterparts at the reactor site.

More than 30 countries, including Russia, are partners in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) initiative, where construction began in southern France in 2010. In this massive project, estimated to cost approximately 19 billion euros, critical technical assignments remain entrusted to Russian specialists.

Russian scientists and engineers are responsible for manufacturing complex components, including switchgear equipment, busbar systems, energy-absorbing resistors for power supply, and protection systems for the reactor’s superconducting magnetic assembly.

To manufacture these reactor components, a new industrial facility with an annual production capacity of 30 tonnes of superconductors was established at Rosatom’s site in the city of Glazov.

Moscow’s continued participation in the project is causing unease among some EU officials. In 2025, Members of the European Parliament approached the European Commission to enquire about ways to eliminate dependence on Russia within ITER.

EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen replied that a participating state can leave the project only of its own volition.

The European Commission had previously announced plans to ban Russian nuclear fuel and technology, though the adoption of the measure was subsequently delayed.

Certain member states continue to import Russian fuel, with Hungary, for instance, building new nuclear power plants of Rosatom design.

World Nuclear Association data show that Rosatom alone accounts for approximately 44% of global uranium enrichment capacity.

According to a Financial Times report published in January, executives from energy companies Urenco and Orano called on the EU to draft a plan for the phased cessation of enriched uranium imports from Russia.

The companies argued that continuing these supplies creates long-term dependence on Moscow.

A report published in the summer by Sprott Asset Management indicates that, despite EU efforts to diversify sources, European dependence on Russian uranium is increasing.

According to Eurostat data, EU countries purchased 172.6 million euros worth of Russian nuclear fuel during the January to April period of 2026. Imports rose from 253.2 tonnes to 280.9 tonnes compared with the same period of the previous year, when purchases stood at 31.9 million euros.

Total EU imports of Russian nuclear fuel, including uranium, plutonium, and their compounds, reached 347.9 million euros across the whole of 2025. The Netherlands and France accounted for more than 90% of these purchases.

Commenting on the developments, Urenco Chief Executive Officer Boris Schucht noted that European producers are struggling to attract investment for enrichment capacity due to uncertainty over the future of imports from Russia.

Schucht stated that making new investment decisions remains difficult because Russia possesses significant idle capacity that could return to the market.