Greenpeace: Swiss Nuclear Plants Still Reliant on Russian Uranium

Four years into the war in Ukraine, Switzerland’s energy heart remains tethered to the Kremlin. A staggering 100% of the fuel for the Beznau power plant's two reactors was historically sourced from Russia, alongside 50% for the Leibstadt facility. While the world watches the frontlines, Greenpeace warns that Swiss nuclear infrastructure is still gasping for independence. This is not just an environmental concern; it is a critical vulnerability in the Swiss national security apparatus. The NGO asserts that despite public gestures toward diversification, the shadow of Rosatom—the Russian state-owned nuclear giant—looms larger than ever over the Alps. Switzerland finds itself in a paradoxical struggle: maintaining its grid stability while inadvertently fueling the coffers of a sanctioned regime. The urgency is palpable as the nation grapples with the reality that its 'clean' energy transition is currently paved with Russian-processed uranium.

Shifting mining operations to Kazakhstan is a strategic mirage that fails to break the Russian stranglehold. While Swiss energy giant Axpo celebrated a partnership with Kazatomprom in 2025, the logistical reality is sobering: the majority of Kazakh uranium must traverse Russian territory to reach the port of St. Petersburg. From there, it is loaded onto Russian vessels and ferried to European harbors. Greenpeace dismantles the narrative of independence, pointing out that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route—a potential alternative—is plagued by 'considerable geopolitical risks' and logistical bottlenecks. Russia remains the gatekeeper. By controlling the transit corridors, Rosatom retains an indispensable role in the Swiss supply chain. The 'new' uranium might be mined in the Kazakh steppe, but it is still delivered by the grace of Moscow, leaving Switzerland exposed to the whims of a volatile neighbor.

Uranium is the ultimate 'ghost' commodity—completely untraceable once it enters the industrial grinder. During the enrichment process, material from various global sources is mixed, creating a blend where Russian atoms are indistinguishable from Canadian or Kazakh ones. Several of Axpo’s current European suppliers continue to process uranium provided by Rosatom, effectively laundering Russian influence into the Swiss grid. This lack of transparency creates a 'no-man's-land' for sanctions and ethics. While Seco confirms that the EU has yet to impose sanctions on nuclear material, the environmental lobby argues that this regulatory vacuum is exactly what Russia exploits. The industry’s reliance on Russian processing facilities makes it nearly impossible to guarantee a 'clean' supply chain. For the Swiss consumer, every flick of a light switch potentially carries a microscopic connection to the Russian state enterprise.

Confronting these accusations, Axpo stands firm, declaring that its fuel supply has been independent of Russian sources since 2022. The energy titan points to its strategic reserves and the landmark contracts signed in February 2025 with Canadian and Kazakh miners as proof of a new era. According to Axpo, uranium is now processed in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, and the United States—far from the Kremlin's direct reach. They emphasize that since the spring of 2026, no active contracts involve Russian uranium, and no financial flows, direct or indirect, reach Russian parties through their Kazatomprom deal. This creates a sharp contrast between the NGO's systemic critique and the corporate reality of procurement. Axpo views its diversified portfolio as a robust shield against geopolitical blackmail, asserting that they have successfully navigated the most treacherous energy landscape in decades.

Switzerland now stands at a critical crossroads: double down on nuclear or pivot toward a radical renewable future. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) remains in a holding pattern, noting that federal legislation prevents Switzerland from imposing unilateral sanctions without the EU. However, if Brussels moves against Russian uranium, Bern will be forced to follow. Greenpeace expert Florian Kasser argues that the only path to true sovereignty is a total transition to renewables, claiming that nuclear power 'drives us into the clutches of Russia.' Meanwhile, the Swiss government has doubled its natural uranium stocks kept abroad as a hedge against uncertainty. The coming years will determine if Switzerland can truly decouple its prosperity from Russian infrastructure or if the 'nuclear comeback' will forever be haunted by its eastern dependencies. The stakes for Swiss neutrality and energy security have never been higher.