Britain will supply enriched uranium to Ukraine for an additional two years, supported by a £210m UK Export Finance facility and delivered by Urenco to state operator Energoatom. The UK is also imposing an expanded sanctions package aimed at Russia’s shadow fleet, LNG vessels and financial networks, potentially designating over 600 ships. Sir Keir Starmer will unveil the measures at the G7 in Evian and hold a one-to-one meeting with President Zelensky as he seeks to shore up his domestic standing.
UK to Supply Enriched Nuclear Fuel to Ukraine for Two More Years as Starmer Announces Tougher Sanctions on Russia
Sir Keir Starmer will unveil a sanctions package against Russia at the G7 summit - LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Imag
Sir Keir Starmer will announce that Britain will supply enriched uranium to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants for a further two years, backed by a £210m UK Export Finance facility. The move will be unveiled at the G7 summit in Evian, where the Prime Minister will also set out an expanded sanctions package targeting Russian maritime and financial operations.
Fuel Supply Agreement
Urenco, the UK-based uranium enrichment company, will deliver the fuel to Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear operator, which generates more than half of the country’s electricity. The financing builds on an earlier two-year arrangement and is intended to help Ukraine safeguard its power stations against attacks and seasonal demand through coming winters.
Sanctions Package
The sanctions are designed to disrupt Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels moving sanctioned gas, and the covert finance networks used to evade Western embargoes and fund military procurement. Officials expect the expanded measures to lift the number of UK-designated shadow-fleet and LNG vessels to more than 600.
Security Operation and Political Context
The announcement follows a recent six-hour operation off England’s south coast when commandos and National Crime Agency officers boarded the Russian tanker Smyrtos. Sir Keir will unveil the sanctions in Evian and hold a one-to-one meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Volodymyr Zelensky visits the Dormition Cathedral in Kyiv after it was badly damaged in Russian missile and drone attack - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images
The measures come amid domestic political turbulence: John Healey resigned as defence secretary last week, citing concerns about defence funding, and Andy Burnham is widely expected to use a likely Makerfield by-election victory to press a leadership challenge. Sir Keir will use the international announcements to reinforce his leadership credentials.
“Russia’s aggression threatens not just Ukraine, but the security of all Europe. That is why the UK is stepping up — choking off the revenues that fuel Putin’s war and powering Ukraine through the winters ahead. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Sir Keir said.
Economic and Industrial Impact
The fuel supply deal is also framed as protecting British jobs. Urenco employs more than 650 people in the UK, and its Chester processing site supports over 4,500 jobs across the wider supply chain. The UK Export Finance backing is intended both to secure Ukraine’s energy resilience and to support the domestic nuclear supply chain.
Diplomacy
Separately, Sir Keir met US President Donald Trump at a working dinner attended by all G7 leaders. The meeting followed a diplomatic dispute over the use of the UK/US air base in the Chagos Islands, which Sir Keir refused to permit for a US military operation — an exchange that briefly drew public comment from President Trump.
The UK’s combination of practical support for Ukraine’s energy system and targeted sanctions is intended to maintain pressure on Moscow while strengthening international coordination ahead of further diplomatic efforts to seek a lasting peace for Ukraine and European security.
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