Slovakia is poised to continue its de-Russification efforts in the nuclear energy sector, with plans to transition from Russian nuclear fuel to American and French alternatives, according to statements from the country's new Economy Minister, Denisa Saková. This decision, despite earlier skepticism from nationalists, is part of a broader commitment aligning with European Union directives, as emphasized by Saková.

The switch from Russian nuclear fuel, previously criticized as a challenging endeavor by Slovak National Party leader Andrej Danko, is now being actively pursued by the new Slovak government. Saková confirmed discussions on the transition with the director of the Slovenské elektrárne power plant, which recently announced a partnership with the U.S.-based company Westinghouse in August.

Currently reliant on Russian nuclear fuel, Slovakia is looking to diversify its sources, with the initial delivery of U.S. fuel expected within a year pending the requisite approval process. The power plant has also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the French company Framatom, solidifying the country's commitment to a multi-faceted nuclear fuel strategy.

In line with the plans, French Ambassador Pascal le Deunff reaffirmed the French-Slovak collaboration, emphasizing the potential involvement of Slovak companies in the supply chain for the new nuclear fuel. He further underscored the interest of Électricité de France (EDF), a state-owned company managing French nuclear power plants, in bolstering Slovakia's nuclear ecosystem through strategic cooperation.

However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the storage of spent nuclear fuel. Despite France's existing surface repositories, the establishment of a fully operational deep repository in Europe remains an ongoing concern. While talks with Slovakia have commenced, specific solutions regarding nuclear waste storage are yet to be solidified.