The German government has approved the implementation of a nuclear project involving Russia in Lingen, Lower Saxony. The opinions of critics who pointed to the enormous risks associated with Russian espionage activities were disregarded.
Russian Nuclear Project in Germany – Federal Government Gives Green Light
The outlet Politico was the first to report on the matter. The publication noted that before the project was approved, it had been reviewed by security authorities under the leadership of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The final decision was taken by the Ministry for the Environment of Lower Saxony.
The project envisages the production of fuel elements designed by Russia at the fuel assembly plant in Lingen, Lower Saxony. The French subsidiary of Framatome, Advanced Nuclear Fuels (ANF), intends to carry out these activities in cooperation with the Russian state-owned corporation Rosatom. These components can only be used in Soviet-designed reactors, such as those operated in several countries in Northern and Eastern Europe.
Bettina Ackermann from the organization “.ausgestrahlt” emphasized that “granting Rosatom access threatens Germany’s internal and external security.” There have been many more critical opinions. Vladimir Slivyak, a Russian environmental activist living in Germany, stressed that the project poses a serious threat to the security of the German state. He also underlined that in this way Russia’s war against Ukraine is indirectly financed.
In December 2025, the Alliance 90/The Greens submitted a bill to the Bundestag providing for a ban on cooperation with Russian companies in Lingen. Only 130 MPs supported it, while 454 voted against.