---
title: "The German Paradox: Why Berlin Allowed Nuclear Fuel Production Using Rosatom Technologies"
description: "Germany has allowed a plant in Lingen to produce nuclear fuel using Rosatom technologies. Despite sanctions and criticism from the Greens, Europe is forced to cooperate with Russia due to dependence on Soviet reactors. 🇩🇪🇷🇺☢️"
date: 2026-07-23T02:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/german-paradox-berlin-allowed-nuclear-fuel-production-using-rosatom-technologies
tags: [rosatom, germany, nuclear-energy, sanctions, framatome]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# The German Paradox: Why Berlin Allowed Nuclear Fuel Production Using Rosatom Technologies

![Rosatom logo at an exhibition: symbol of Russia’s nuclear giant whose technologies are now approved in Germany](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/23/germaniya-razreshila-proizvodstvo-yaadernogo-topliva-po-rossiyskim-tehnologiyam/germaniya-razreshila-proizvodstvo-yaadernogo-topliva-po-rossiyskim-tehnologiyam-1.webp)

A political scandal has erupted in Germany surrounding nuclear energy. The Ministry of the Environment of Lower Saxony has officially approved an application from a plant in the city of Lingen to produce nuclear fuel. The uniqueness of the situation lies in the fact that the work will be carried out using Russian technologies, in close cooperation with the state concern Rosatom.

The decision was made despite strict EU sanction restrictions and the official rhetoric of Berlin, which has repeatedly accused the Kremlin of espionage and sabotage. The licensed plant belongs to Advanced Nuclear Fuels (ANF) — a subsidiary of the French energy giant Framatome.

### Europe's Technological Dependence

The key factor that allowed these restrictions to be bypassed was the specificity of the equipment. The project concerns the production of hexagonal fuel assemblies, which are used exclusively in Soviet-style reactors. Europe found itself in a trap of technological dependence: many countries in Eastern Europe still operate nuclear power plants built to Soviet designs, or are constructing new facilities under the auspices of Rosatom.

Replacing the Russian supplier is a process requiring billions of euros in investment and several years of preparation. This is why the EU has not yet imposed a total ban on cooperation in this niche. A striking example of such dependence is Hungary, where the US Administration granted an exemption from financial sanctions so that the country could continue the construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant with Russian specialists.

### Internal Struggle in Berlin

The approval of the project has sparked a stormy reaction within Germany. The Federal Ministry for the Environment issued a harsh critique, calling the cooperation dangerous. Officials believe that the nuclear sector should fall under the scope of general European sanctions against Russia.

Particular concern was expressed by the state Minister for the Environment, Christian Meyer, from the Green Party. He called the decision "fundamentally wrong," asserting that Russia uses energy as a tool for political pressure and a weapon. Local environmental organizations and activists also spoke out against it, seeing the launch of the plant as a direct threat to Germany's national security.

### Global Context of Cooperation

The situation in Lingen is just part of the bigger picture. As long as comprehensive sanctions have not been introduced at the EU level, Rosatom continues to generate revenue in the European market. The company actively supports the operation of nuclear power plants in Eastern Europe:

    - In Slovakia, Rosatom continues to supply nuclear fuel for Unit 3 of the Mochovce nuclear power plant, which was commissioned in January 2023.

    - In Bulgaria, Russian specialists provide service support for the Kozloduy nuclear power plant units of their own design.

The only way to stop such cooperation remains the introduction of sanctions at the level of the entire European Union. Until this happens, the technological needs of partner countries outweigh political disagreements, allowing the Russian atomic giant to maintain its presence in Europe.