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Russian nuclear energy diplomacy and its implications for energy security in the context of the war in Ukraine

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  • Kacper Szulecki

    (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI))

  • Indra Overland

    (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI))

Abstract

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the possibility of reducing Europe’s energy dependence on Russian resources has been hotly debated. The fossil fuel industries received most attention as European Union leaders first introduced gradual sanctions on Russian coal and later on oil and gas, while Russia responded with supply cuts. However, Russia’s role as a major player in the global nuclear power sector has remained largely below the sanctions radar, despite dependencies on Russian nuclear technology, uranium supplies and handling of spent nuclear fuel. Here we analyse the state nuclear company Rosatom and its subsidiaries as tools of Russian energy statecraft. We map the company’s global portfolio, then categorize countries where Russia is active according to the degree and intensity of dependence. We offer a taxonomy of long-term energy dependencies, highlighting specific security risks associated with each of them. We conclude that the war and Russia’s actions in the energy sector will undermine Rosatom’s position in Europe and damage its reputation as a reliable supplier, but its global standing may remain strong.

Suggested Citation

  • Kacper Szulecki & Indra Overland, 2023. "Russian nuclear energy diplomacy and its implications for energy security in the context of the war in Ukraine," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 413-421, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:8:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1038_s41560-023-01228-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-023-01228-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maliszewska-Nienartowicz, Justyna, 2024. "Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on renewable energy development in Germany and Italy," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    2. David Gattie & Michael Hewitt, 2023. "National Security as a Value-Added Proposition for Advanced Nuclear Reactors: A U.S. Focus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Żuk, Piotr & Buzogány, Aron & Mišík, Matúš & Osička, Jan & Szulecki, Kacper, 2023. "Semi-peripheries in the world-system? The Visegrad group countries in the geopolitical order of energy and raw materials after the war in Ukraine," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    4. Meyer, Teva, 2023. "Assessing the weaponability of enriched uranium trade in the geopolitics of nuclear energy: The EU-Russia interrelations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    5. Mišík, Matúš & Nosko, Andrej, 2023. "Post-pandemic lessons for EU energy and climate policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Introduction to a special issue on EU green recovery in the post-Covid-19 period," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    6. Rotte, Ralph, 2024. "Die neue Unübersichtlichkeit nuklearer Sicherheitspolitik: Technologische und institutionelle Aspekte," SocArXiv et9kc, Center for Open Science.
    7. Hartvig, Áron Dénes & Kiss-Dobronyi, Bence & Kotek, Péter & Takácsné Tóth, Borbála & Gutzianas, Ioannis & Zareczky, András Zsombor, 2024. "The economic and energy security implications of the Russian energy weapon," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).

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