Germany is pushing for the European Union to include the civilian nuclear power sector in the bloc’s new sanctions package against Russia, the economy ministry said on Monday (17 April).

In February the European Union approved a 10th package of Russia sanctions on the anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, but trade with Russia’s nuclear energy industry and state nuclear corporation Rosatom has not been directly affected.

“The federal government spoke to the European Commission in favour of including the civilian nuclear sector. That should be part of the next sanctions package,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said including the nuclear sector in the next sanctions package would take time, but said such measures should be implemented over transitional periods.