Proliferation and Nuclear Policy

Eight decades later another conflict, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has revealed a starkly different state of affairs in the modern supply of nuclear fuels. Just as Europe became dependent on Russian gas, America and some other Nato states have developed a heavy reliance on Russia for the enriched uranium they need to keep their nuclear plants running. Tellingly, the trade was not subject to sanctions after the invasion of Ukraine but western governments and companies are scrambling to fill the gap by rebuilding their own industrial capability, an uncertain process that is expected to take several years. “This is a cautionary tale, not just for the nuclear industry, but energy policy in general,” Darya Dolzikova, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute’s proliferation and nuclear policy programme, said.

The Putin-Kim meeting, by validating closer coordination between the two nations, could also give some countries and private enterprises the green light to resume doing business with North Korea, said Darya Dolzikova, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based defense and security think tank. Russia enjoys veto power at the United Nations Security Council as a permanent member. The leader-to-leader summit "may legitimize trade with North Korea," she said. "It sort of suggests Russia won't stand in the way of other countries engaging with North Korea."