Germany backed demands to impose sanctions on imports of uranium from Russia and other parts of Russia's civilian nuclear industry in retaliation for the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine, five EU diplomats told Politico.

The move could hit the supply of uranium, which is used as fuel for power reactors built in Russia, as well as for new nuclear projects run by Rosatom's Western European branch based in Paris, the media said.

Sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry were discussed at a meeting with EU ambassadors and the Commission earlier this week, diplomats said, with Poland and the Baltic states leading the calls for action.

The fact that Germany, the economic powerhouse of the EU, has now spoken out in favor of sanctions makes this move much more likely. A number of MEPs also demanded that the nuclear issue be included in the EU sanctions.

The European Commission is working on proposals for a sixth round of sanctions against Russia, including potentially oil-targeting measures. Details are expected to be discussed with EU countries in the coming days as European governments seek to increase pressure on Putin by cutting off energy export revenues that finance his invasion of Ukraine.

It is not yet clear how soon sanctions on the import of nuclear fuel into the EU can be introduced.

But any move against the Russian nuclear industry will not be painless for the Europeans. The EU imports almost all of its uranium from outside the bloc. About 20% comes from Russia, making it the second largest supplier in the EU after Niger.

The imposition of sanctions against Rosatom's Paris-based subsidiary is expected to be a particularly sensitive issue for recently re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. France has a large nuclear power sector and works closely with Rosatom on several projects through the partially state-owned company EDF.