Ukraine imported from Russia 61% percent of its nuclear power plant fuel last year — and only 39% from Westinghouse’s plant in Sweden.


Ukraine imported from Russia 61% percent of its nuclear power plant fuel last year — and only 39% from Westinghouse’s plant in Sweden. Given that half Ukraine’s electricity comes from nuclear power plants, critics call continued reliance on nuclear fuel from Russia a major national security risk. One year ago, Igor Nasalyk, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy and Coal Industry, promised that Russian fuel imports would fall in 2018 to 45% of Ukraine’s needs. Instead, the year end figures were: Russia — 335.2 tons of fuel for $374 million; Sweden – 211 tons of fuel for $148.5 million. Critics find it curious that Ukraine paid 59% more per ton for fuel from Russia than from Sweden. Last November, Westinghouse repeated its offer to supply 100% of Ukraine’s needs.