The State Duma of the Russian Federation has officially adopted a law denouncing the agreement with the United States on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium. The document was supported by the majority of deputies from all parliamentary factions, with only a few abstentions.

The agreement, signed in 2000, envisaged the disposal of 34 tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium by each side. The goal of the treaty was to reduce the stockpiles of fissile materials suitable for producing nuclear weapons and to strengthen mutual trust between Moscow and Washington.

According to State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, the decision to withdraw from the agreement was prompted by “the aggressive policy of the United States and its loss of capacity for equal dialogue on strategic stability issues”. He stressed that “Russia can no longer consider itself bound by an agreement violated by the other party”.

The explanatory note to the bill states that Washington allegedly failed to fulfill its obligations regarding the technological process for plutonium reprocessing and in fact suspended the practical implementation of the agreement.

Analysts note that the decision to denounce the treaty fits into the Kremlin’s broader course toward dismantling the remaining elements of the bilateral arms control system established after the Cold War. Earlier, Russia had suspended participation in the New START Treaty and agreements on nuclear site inspections.

According to experts, the withdrawal from the plutonium agreement is more a political than a technical step, symbolizing a final rupture between Moscow and Washington in the field of nuclear security.

Some Russian lawmakers have stated that Russia can now independently manage its accumulated plutonium, including using it for scientific purposes and in next-generation nuclear energy projects. However, Western observers express concern that this move could increase the risk of a renewed nuclear arms race.

#RUSSIA

#USA

09.10.2025 10:44