Greenpeace activists disrupt nuclear summit in France during Macron address

PARIS: Two Greenpeace activists interrupted the opening of a global nuclear summit in France on Tuesday, briefly halting proceedings as French President Emmanuel Macron and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi were welcoming heads of state.

The protesters, dressed in black suits and ties, managed to get onto the stage and unfurled banners bearing the Greenpeace logo. The banners read “Nuclear Power = Energy Insecurity” and “Nuclear power fuels Russia’s war.” One activist shouted at President Macron, “Why are we still buying uranium from Russia?”

In response, President Macron replied, “We produce nuclear power ourselves.”

France possesses its own uranium enrichment capabilities. However, according to the latest customs data published by the French government, the country also imports enriched uranium for its nuclear power plants, including supplies from Russia.

The incident occurred as world leaders gathered in Paris for discussions on the future of nuclear energy. The summit, attended by senior officials and experts, aimed to address global energy security and the role of nuclear power in reducing carbon emissions.

Russia’s state nuclear company, Rosatom, is a significant supplier of enriched uranium to several countries, including France. The protest highlighted ongoing concerns among environmental groups about the reliance on Russian nuclear materials, particularly in the context of Russia’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.

Security personnel quickly intervened and removed the activists from the stage, allowing the summit to proceed as scheduled. Greenpeace has long campaigned against nuclear energy, citing environmental risks and the geopolitical implications of nuclear fuel sourcing.

The disruption underscored the contentious debate over nuclear power’s role in Europe’s energy strategy, especially amid heightened tensions with Russia and efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.