Story perspectives

Lower Saxony Approves Russian Fuel License Amid Criticism

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Lower Saxony approved a license for Advanced Nuclear Fuels to expand Lingen plant’s Russian fuel production in 2026.
The license restricts Rosatom/TVEL staff to escorted entry and isolates Russian IT assets from ANF’s network.
Minister Christian Meyer (Green Party) called the move “fundamentally the wrong choice.”
Defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) urged revoking the license after Eurostat reported EU imports of Russian fuel rose fivefold in early 2026 versus 2025.

History

Historical Context

In 2007 Russia turned its Ministry for Atomic Energy into the state corporation Rosatom, creating the Atomenergoprom holding that placed fuel producer TVEL under a single umbrella. TVEL then supplied about 10 % of the EU’s enriched uranium (?3,200 t). The 2026 Lower Saxony licence for Advanced Nuclear Fuels, tied to that structure, prompted Eurostat and officials Meyer and Kiesewetter to call for stricter safeguards.

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Story summary

Lower Saxony approved a license for Advanced Nuclear Fuels to expand Lingen plant’s Russian fuel production in 2026.
The license restricts Rosatom/TVEL staff to escorted entry and isolates Russian IT assets from ANF’s network.
Minister Christian Meyer (Green Party) called the move “fundamentally the wrong choice.”
Defense expert Roderich Kiesewetter (CDU) urged revoking the license after Eurostat reported EU imports of Russian fuel rose fivefold in early 2026 versus 2025.

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