Russian president denounces nuclear plutonium agreement with US

Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a law formally denouncing the agreement with the United States regarding the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium, material that is no longer utilized for defence purposes.

The original accord was concluded in 2000 and ratified in 2011. Under its terms, each party was obligated to dispose of 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium deemed surplus to military requirements, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

In addition to the primary agreement, all associated protocols are being annulled. These include documents governing financial arrangements, civil liability for potential damages, and agreements outlining the disposal of the plutonium through irradiation in nuclear reactors.

Prior to the presidential action, both the State Duma and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly had also formally denounced the intergovernmental agreement with the United States on plutonium disposal, along with the accompanying treaties.

By Vafa Guliyeva