Russia suspends weapons-grade plutonium deal with US

In a decree, President Vladimir Putin accused the US of creating “a threat to strategic stability, as a result of unfriendly actions” towards Russia.

Moscow also set pre-conditions for the US for the deal to be resumed.

Under the 2000 deal, each side is supposed to get rid of 34 tonnes of plutonium by burning it in reactors.

It is part of cuts to nuclear forces.

The US state department said the combined 68 tonnes of plutonium was “enough material for approximately 17,000 nuclear weapons”. Both sides had reconfirmed the deal in 2010.

‘We fulfilled our duties’

In Monday’s decree (in Russian), President Putin said Russia had to take “urgent measures to defend the security of the Russian Federation”.

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Image courtesy of AFP