The expert pointed to the US interest in Russian enriched uranium.

The United States needs Russian enriched uranium, said Arthur Meinhard, Head of Global Markets Analysis at Fontvielle investment company. He told Izvestia about this in more detail on March 5.

Despite the geopolitical tensions, the United States remains interested in supplying enriched uranium from Russia. According to the expert, this is due to the fact that Russia controls more than 40% of the world's uranium enrichment capacity, which makes it a key player in this market.

"By itself, uranium ore is not directly used in the energy industry. It needs to be enriched and turned into fuel. This is where Russia occupies a leading position, controlling more than 40% of the world's uranium enrichment capacity," the expert explained.

The USA, France and the UK are actively investing in the creation of their own enrichment facilities, but this process will take several years. For example, the first batch of enriched uranium in the United States was produced only in the spring of 2023. The American company Urenco plans to increase the volume of enrichment to 5.6 million EPR, but even this will cover only a third of the country's needs.

Ore reserves: The EU is losing in the race for rare earths

The development of mining in the Russian Federation will turn the tables on international markets

"In the coming years, the United States will need enriched uranium, not raw materials. This makes them dependent on supplies from Russia, which, in turn, considers the United States as an important market," the expert noted.

The specialist also stressed that Russia is the only producer of HALEU uranium, which is used in low-power reactors. China, like Russia, is more of a uranium processor, purchasing raw materials for further enrichment.

In addition, there is also a shortage of processing facilities in Europe. The French company Orano plans to expand its facilities, but the first centrifuges will be launched no earlier than in three years.

"Russia has no problems with the demand for enriched uranium, as it is growing from friendly countries. At the same time, the United States and Europe will remain dependent on Russian supplies in the coming years," Meinhardt concluded.

Earlier, on February 20, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that Washington href="https://iz.ru/1842427/2025-02-20/glava-minfina-ssha-dopustil-izmeneniia-sanktcii-v-otnoshenii-rossii " target="_blank">is ready for both mitigation and tightening of sanctions in relation to Moscow depending on the course of the negotiation process.