German approval of nuclear fuel production with Rosatom sparks legal and political backlash

Germany's federal and Lower Saxony environmental ministries have granted permission for the production of nuclear fuel rods for Russian reactor types at the Lingen plant, involving the Russian state nuclear company Rosatom. The decision, announced in July 2026, has drawn criticism from environmental group BUND, which said it may pursue legal action, arguing that Rosatom’s involvement "directly supports Russia’s war against Ukraine" and risks giving Russia access to critical infrastructure.

Germany's Piratenpartei also condemned the move, warning that it deepens technological dependence on Russia and undermines European security. Party spokesperson Alexander Kohler said the approval sends a dangerous signal and threatens the EU’s resilience strategy. Lower Saxony Environment Minister Christian Meyer described the project as "a gateway for Putin" but said the ministry is bound by nuclear law, while the federal ministry noted that EU‑wide nuclear sanctions could be a tool, though none have been adopted yet.