Europe depends on Russia, it's time to change that — French President

Europe needs to get rid of dependence on Russian uranium. This was stated by French President Emmanuel Macron.

"We have recently become the target of criticism from a number of activists because of the still existing dependence on Russia. And in the case of uranium, it's true. But there are other countries in the world engaged in its production... and we must participate in international cooperation... in order to diversify and secure our uranium supplies, as well as to reduce dependence," he said at the The opening of the International Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris.

According to him, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Canada and Australia can act as uranium-producing countries through which France and Europe could reduce dependence on Russia. At the same time, Macron called nuclear energy the "key" to ensuring the independence and energy sovereignty of countries, to decarbonization and growth of the economies of the world. He also added that a meeting of the Nuclear Policy Council will soon be held in Paris, at which new decisions will be taken on the development of this area in France on the basis of the multi-year state energy program adopted in February.

In addition, Macron said that it is necessary to cooperate with the nuclear safety authorities of various states, including for standardization in this area. According to him, standardization and cooperation are necessary for the growth of jobs in the nuclear energy sector in Europe.

Earlier, Belgium and France opposed the inclusion of a ban on the import of Russian uranium in the planned 20th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. At the same time, the EU has already recognized that their "green" policy, including the abandonment of nuclear energy, was a "strategic mistake."