The State Duma Committee on International Affairs recommended denunciating the Agreement between the Governments of the Russian Federation and the United States “On the Disposition, Management, and Cooperation in this Field of Plutonium, Declared to be No Longer Required for Defense Purposes,” as well as its protocols. “The decision was made unanimously,” Leonid Slutsky, head of the committee, told reporters.
As Slutsky explained, Russia suspended the Agreement back in 2016. “Essentially, these documents have become history. Our suspension took place in 2016. The reasons are fundamental changes in circumstances, including illegal US sanctions, the law on support for Ukraine, which allows interference in Russia’s internal affairs, NATO’s eastward expansion, and the buildup of the US military presence in Eastern Europe. But the main reason is Washington’s unilateral intention, without Moscow’s consent, to change the plutonium disposition procedure, which allows for the potential for takeback,” the committee head added.
Leonid Slutsky also recalled that when the agreement was suspended, Russia set conditions for its resumption, including the United States providing a clear plan for the irreversible disposition of the plutonium. “However, these conditions were not fulfilled. The situation only worsened. Therefore, maintaining any obligations for Russia under the agreement is not advisable,” he concluded.
The issue is proposed for consideration at the plenary session of the State Duma on October 8.
