Nuclear Reactions
US imports Russian uranium, China builds melt-down proof “pebble-tech” nuclear reactor, China launches No-first-use of Nuclear Weapons, Scholz Germany on US missile standby
US Uranium Dependency
By Alfie Shaw
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has granted US nuclear fuel company Centrus Energy a waiver to import low-enriched uranium (LEU) from Russia in 2024 and 2025.
The DOE authorised the waiver on Thursday (18 July) to help Centrus ensure it keeps its commitment of timely deliveries to US customers.
“The waiver process is a short-term step to ensure there are no disruptions to the operation of US reactors as a result of the ban. This allows time to build up a strong US capacity to supply the necessary LEU for the domestic market,” the DOE said.
In May, the Biden administration signed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act into law, which prohibits US entities from importing Russian unirradiated LEU from 11 August.
However, under the legislation, waivers may be granted to allow the import of limited amounts of LEU, to ensure that short-term production of nuclear fuel in the US is not disrupted. Only the US secretary of energy, in consultation with the secretary of state and the secretary of commerce, can grant the waivers, if they determine that no alternative source of LEU is available or that importing Russian LEU is in the national interest.
While the prohibition on Russian LEU imports will be in place until the end of 2040, waivers will only be available until 1 January 2028, as the US seeks to completely move away from Russian uranium in the long term.
Centrus has also applied for a second waiver that would allow the importation of LEU from Russia for processing and re-export to Centrus’ foreign customers. It is currently awaiting the DOE’s decision.
US defers Centrus waiver for 2026 and 2027.
Although western nations have looked to pivot from Russian energy sources since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russia still holds a strong position in the global uranium market. According to GlobalData, Power Technology’s parent company, Russia was the world’s sixth-largest producer of uranium in 2023.
The Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act is the first time formal legislation banning the import of Russian uranium has been implemented.
Read more here.
China builds melt-down proof “pebble-tech” nuclear reactor
By BNE (Intellinews)
China has built what it claims is a melt-down-proof nuclear reactor that would remove one of the main objections to building more nuclear power stations to tackle the accelerating Climate Crisis.
Based on a “pebble technology”, Chinese successfully turned off the power at the High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Pebble-Bed Module (HTR-PM) in Shandong, China, and the reactor passively cooled itself as a result of the technology.
The technology was tested at a large-scale nuclear power station (NPP) and has become the first in the world to demonstrate complete imperviousness to a meltdown, even in the event of a total loss of external power.
Modern NPPs typically rely on powered cooling mechanisms to dissipate excess heat from reactors or require human intervention during emergencies to shut down the plant. Commonly used coolants, such as water or liquid carbon dioxide, depend on external power supplies to function. A catastrophic power cut that disabled the cooling system was what caused the meltdown during the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011.
The new reactor design, the pebble-bed reactor (PBR), uses low-energy-density “pebbles” containing small amounts of uranium encased in graphite rather than the larger fuel rods found in most reactors. The small size of the pebbles slows the nuclear reaction and can endure high temperatures. As the heat is spread over a much wider surface area and the pebbles themselves can be easily moved, it is easier to cool the system in an emergency using natural cooling processes like conduction and convection, The New Scientist reports.
China is rapidly catching up with Western nuclear technology and recently successfully tested the first nuclear fusion reactor that produces more power than it takes to create the fusion reaction.
Russia has also come on in leaps and bounds since the Soviet-era Chernobyl disaster. Those ill-fated RBMK-type reactors have long ago been ditched and replaced by the third-generation VVER 1200 (water-water energetic reactor) that are compliant with the IAEA’s International Nuclear Safety Group (INSAG) recommendations and are generally considered to be state of the art.
As an added safety precaution, Russian reactors are built over a deep pit with a heavy concrete roof. In the event of a meltdown, the reactor burns through the concrete floor, drops into the pit and pulls down the roof, which seals the reactor inside a sarcophagus, minimising the spread of radioactive debris. American reactors have not adopted this solution, which adds significantly to construction costs.
Russian nuclear exports are booming and its technology now accounts for some 70% of global installed nuclear capacity. Having lost most of its gas business due to clash with Europe, formerly its biggest customer, uranium is the new gas as the Kremlin uses nuclear power deals to bind countries from the Global South more closely to its orbit.
While small prototype PBRs have been operational in Germany and China before, this is the first time a full-scale PBR has been tested and shown to be safe. The “pebble technology” means there is no emergency core cooling system in the HTR-PM plant, unlike in conventional reactors.
Once the power to both modules of HTR-PM was turned off while they were operating at full power, the plant’s temperature naturally decreased to a stable level within 35 hours without the use of any external cooling mechanisms, the Chinese scientists reported.
More testing of the technology is needed before it can be rolled out commercially, but the Chinese scientists say they have passed a key milestone that paves the way for safer nuclear power generation globally.
Read more here.
China “No-first-use of Nuclear Weapons”
1. The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and the ultimate realisation of a world free of nuclear weapons, serve the common interests of mankind and constitute a shared aspiration of all countries. In his speech at the United Nations Office at Geneva in January, 2017, President Xi Jinping stated that “Nuclear weapons, the Sword of Damocles that hangs over humankind, should be completely prohibited and ultimately destroyed over time to make the world free of nuclear weapons.”
2. Facing complex and severe international security situation, President Xi Jinping has re-affirmed that nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war must not be fought. In January 2022, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon States released the Joint Statement of the leaders of the five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races. The leaders affirmed that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought and reiterated that none of their weapons are targeted at each other or at any other State.
3. On October 16, 1964 when China successfully detonated its atomic bomb, China immediately made a solemn declaration to the world that it undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and unconditionally commits itself not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear States or nuclear-weapon-free zones. In 1994, China submitted the “Draft Treaty on No-First Use of Nuclear Weapons” to the other four nuclear-weapon States and since then has been encouraging other nuclear-weapon States to commit to no-first use of nuclear weapons on a bilateral or multilateral basis.
4. China adheres to the no-first-use policy, based on its understanding of the nature of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. A nuclear war has no ultimate victor, but only brings huge disasters to humanity. China made the choice of developing nuclear weapons in a special historical period to cope with nuclear blackmail, break nuclear monopoly, and prevent nuclear war. China’s development of nuclear weapons is not for the purpose of threatening other countries, but for self-defense, safeguarding national strategic security,and contributing to world peace and stability.
5. The adoption of the no-first-use policy or declaration of no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other by nuclear-weapon States is a practical step to implement Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security doctrines and promote the objective of nuclear disarmament. Under the current international strategic security situation, the above-mentioned policies and actions taken by nuclear-weapon States are conducive to enhancing strategic mutual trust, avoiding dangerous nuclear arms race, effectively reducing strategic risks, and promoting global balance and stability.
6. The no-first-use policy is increasingly becoming an important consensus and priority in the field of international arms control. Over the recent years, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has publicly called for the no-first-use of any nuclear weapons. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Africa Union, the New Agenda Coalition, and many non-nuclear-weapon States have called on nuclear-weapon States to adopt a no-first-use policy.
7. In view of the above, China encourages the five nuclear-weapon States to negotiate and conclude a treaty on “mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons” or issue a political statement in this regard. The following draft elements are presented as a basis for deliberation.
(a) We are, convinced that nuclear war would have devastating consequences for all humanity and thus must never be fought, mindful of the primary responsibilities of the permanent members of the UN Security Council for the maintenance of world peace and security including the prevention of nuclear war, reiterating our commitment to work for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all types of weapons of mass destruction, believing that this Treaty will be conducive to international peace and security, thus can help create a favorable international environment for further progress in arms control and disarmament,
(b) Each State Party undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against another State Party at any time and under any circumstances. Each State Party undertakes to support the early conclusion of a treaty on not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones.
(c) Each State Party shall in exercising its national sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Treaty if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this Treaty, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country.
(d) This Treaty shall be of unlimited duration. And the articles of this Treaty shall not be subject to any reservation.
8. China calls on all States parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to positively respond to and support China’s propositions. China is ready to engage in in-depth discussions on this issue within the P5 framework. China looks forward to thorough discussions on the above propositions during the 2026 NPT Review Conference and its preparatory committee meetings, with a view to achieving tangible results that could be incorporated into the outcome documents.
Read more here.
No-first-use of Nuclear Weapons Initiative Working paper submitted by China
By China MoFA
1. The complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons, and the ultimate realisation of a world free of nuclear weapons, serve the common interests of mankind and constitute a shared aspiration of all countries. In his speech at the United Nations Office at Geneva in January, 2017, President Xi Jinping stated that “Nuclear weapons, the Sword of Damocles that hangs over humankind, should be completely prohibited and ultimately destroyed over time to make the world free of nuclear weapons.”
2. Facing complex and severe international security situation, President Xi Jinping has re-affirmed that nuclear weapons cannot be used and nuclear war must not be fought. In January 2022, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon States released the Joint Statement of the leaders of the five Nuclear-Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races. The leaders affirmed that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought and reiterated that none of their weapons are targeted at each other or at any other State.
3. On October 16, 1964 when China successfully detonated its atomic bomb, China immediately made a solemn declaration to the world that it undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time and under any circumstances, and unconditionally commits itself not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear States or nuclear-weapon-free zones. In 1994, China submitted the “Draft Treaty on No-First Use of Nuclear Weapons” to the other four nuclear-weapon States and since then has been encouraging other nuclear-weapon States to commit to no-first use of nuclear weapons on a bilateral or multilateral basis.
4. China adheres to the no-first-use policy, based on its understanding of the nature of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. A nuclear war has no ultimate victor, but only brings huge disasters to humanity. China made the choice of developing nuclear weapons in a special historical period to cope with nuclear blackmail, break nuclear monopoly, and prevent nuclear war. China’s development of nuclear weapons is not for the purpose of threatening other countries, but for self-defense, safeguarding national strategic security,and contributing to world peace and stability.
5. The adoption of the no-first-use policy or declaration of no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other by nuclear-weapon States is a practical step to implement Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in national security doctrines and promote the objective of nuclear disarmament. Under the current international strategic security situation, the above-mentioned policies and actions taken by nuclear-weapon States are conducive to enhancing strategic mutual trust, avoiding dangerous nuclear arms race, effectively reducing strategic risks, and promoting global balance and stability.
6. The no-first-use policy is increasingly becoming an important consensus and priority in the field of international arms control. Over the recent years, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has publicly called for the no-first-use of any nuclear weapons. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Africa Union, the New Agenda Coalition, and many non-nuclear-weapon States have called on nuclear-weapon States to adopt a no-first-use policy.
7. In view of the above, China encourages the five nuclear-weapon States to negotiate and conclude a treaty on “mutual no-first-use of nuclear weapons” or issue a political statement in this regard. The following draft elements are presented as a basis for deliberation.
(a) We are, convinced that nuclear war would have devastating consequences for all humanity and thus must never be fought, mindful of the primary responsibilities of the permanent members of the UN Security Council for the maintenance of world peace and security including the prevention of nuclear war, reiterating our commitment to work for the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of all types of weapons of mass destruction, believing that this Treaty will be conducive to international peace and security, thus can help create a favorable international environment for further progress in arms control and disarmament,
(b) Each State Party undertakes not to be the first to use nuclear weapons against another State Party at any time and under any circumstances. Each State Party undertakes to support the early conclusion of a treaty on not using or threatening to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon States or nuclear-weapon-free zones.
(c) Each State Party shall in exercising its national sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Treaty if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this Treaty, have jeopardized the supreme interests of its country.
(d) This Treaty shall be of unlimited duration. And the articles of this Treaty shall not be subject to any reservation.
8. China calls on all States parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to positively respond to and support China’s propositions. China is ready to engage in in-depth discussions on this issue within the P5 framework. China looks forward to thorough discussions on the above propositions during the 2026 NPT Review Conference and its preparatory committee meetings, with a view to achieving tangible results that could be incorporated into the outcome documents.
Read more here.
Germany split on US stationing long-range cruise missiles
Compiled from reports
The decision made this week to periodically station long-range United States missiles in Germany as a deterrent to Russia has been greeted with both support and criticism in Berlin.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the announcement, made on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington on Wednesday, as "a necessary and important decision at the right time" in terms of "deterrence" and "securing peace."
The move will see a return of long-range US cruise missiles to German soil for the first time since the late 1990s, including SM-6, Tomahawk and developmental hypersonic weapons with a longer range than those currently in the armories of European militaries.
As such, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told broadcaster Deutschlandfunkthat the deployment would address a "very serious gap" in Germany's defense capabilities.
"Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States' commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence," read a joint German-US statement.
“Russia must first stop the war in Ukraine if it wants to avoid the deployment of American long-range missiles in Germany […] The first thing Russia must do is stop its terrible war of aggression against Ukraine and give up trying to conquer the whole country” (Olaf Scholz)
'An adequate deterrent'
"We have long been grappling with the question of how we can ensure a deterrent that secures our own alliance territory, but also Germany, with conventional options," Chancellor Scholz told reporters in Washington on Thursday.
"This decision has been a long time in the making and comes as no real surprise to anyone involved in security and peace policy," he added.
The move was also endorsed by Germany's conservative opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) who, given the current unpopularity of Scholz's center-left coalition, could be back in power by the time the missiles are deployed in 2026.
"This is a good news, which shows that the United States is standing by its security guarantees," CDU defense spokesman Johann Wadepuhl told DW. "We need an adequate deterrent against Russia
Criticism from within Scholz's own party
There has also been criticism of the decision from within the governing coalition, and even from within Scholz's own Social Democratic Party (SPD), where one lawmaker warned of a new "arms race."
"This will not make the world safer," the SPD's Ralf Stegner told the Funke media group. "On the contrary, we are entering a spiral in which the world is becoming increasingly dangerous."
The Greens, who form part of Scholz's coalition along with the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP), said they and the German public had not been kept adequately informed of the decision and demanded an explanation.
"It can increase fears and leaves room for disinformation and incitement," the Greens' parliamentary security spokeswoman Sara Nanni told the regional Rheinische Post newspaper, adding that Scholz had provided little information on the precise threat posed by Russia.
Katharina Dröge, head of the Greens' parliamentary group, told broadcaster RTL that Scholz should "explain and answer these questions in public."
Criticism from far left and far right
Opposition to the announcement also came from the fringes of German politics, including from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the traditional socialist Left Party (Die Linke) and the new leftist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW)
"Chancellor Scholz is not acting in Germany's interest," said Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the AfD, which continues to oppose German arms deliveries to Ukraine.
"He is allowing Germany's relationship with Russia to be permanently damaged, and we are falling back into the pattern of the East-West conflict," Chrupalla said, adding that the US missile deployment would make "Germany a target."
The Left Party called the decision "highly problematic." Sahra Wagenknecht, the politician after whom the new BSW is named, told Spiegel magazine that the move "increases the danger that Germany itself will become a theater of war."
Back in the 1980s, the deployment of US Pershing ballistic missiles in West Germany, which was then on the front line of the Cold War, prompted widespread pacifist demonstrations. Even after German reunification, US missiles remained stationed in Germany into the 1990s before being slowly removed.
The US currently has nuclear weapons stationed in Germany, which isn't a nuclear power itself, but its conventional capabilities are limited in range.
Russia, whose full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has accelerated Western rearmament, said it was planning "response measures" to contain what it called the "very serious threat" from NATO.
Read more here.