The US Senate approved a bill banning the import of uranium from Russia

On Tuesday, the upper house of the US Congress, the Senate approved the billwhich would ban the import into the United States of low-enriched uranium used as fuel to generate electricity in nuclear power plants.

The bill’s sponsors hailed the decision as a sign of the United States’ readiness to ensure its energy security and deprive the Kremlin of funds for its war in Ukraine.

“Our legislation will help defund the Russian war machine, revitalize American uranium production and stimulate investment in the nuclear fuel supply chain,” said Wyoming Senator John Barasso. According to him, Wyoming has enough uranium reserves to completely replace uranium imported from Russia. “America’s dangerous dependence on Russian enriched uranium must be ended. This is a matter of national security. By approving the legislation, we have taken an important step that will help end Russian control of the global nuclear fuel supply system,” said Idaho Senator Jim Risch.

Sales of uranium to the United States brought to Russia last year $1.2 billion, up 43 percent from the year before. Over the past year, world uranium prices have risen by 70 percent. Russia is the main exporter of uranium to the United States.

The corresponding bill was approved by the House of Representatives in December. The new law is expected to come into force soon after it is signed by US President Joe Biden.