Written question – Dependence on Russia in the ITER nuclear fusion project in the context of the roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports – E-002074/2025

Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer  E-002074/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Andrea Wechsler (PPE), Borys Budka (PPE), Matej Tonin (PPE)

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project aims to achieve fusion power production at power-plant scale. The Russian Federation is a member of the project.

As part of its recent roadmap to phase out Russian energy imports, the Commission announced additional steps to reduce dependence on these sources. However, it remains silent on fusion energy and thus, in particular, the Russian Federation’s membership of ITER and its involvement in its governance and funding (9.1 %), and intellectual property contributions to it. Moreover, Russia is making substantial ‘in kind’ contributions (e.g. through the delivery of components for the power supply and protection of the superconducting magnets).

  • 1.How does the Commission plan to phase-out dependence on Russian participation in ITER, particularly in relation to membership, governance involvement, funding and in kind contributions, and what role could the proposal for the European radioisotope valley initiative play in this context?
  • 2.How does the Commission plan to secure the operation of ITER in the light of the project’s dependence on Russian intellectual property rights?
  • 3.Will the Commission support the establishment of an independent EU fusion energy project and a diversification of the fusion industry landscape through increased funding to private sector companies?

Submitted: 22.5.2025

Last updated: 5 June 2025