Russia withdraws from US nuclear pact

The Russian government announced on 3 October 2016 it would suspend a deal with the United States (US) on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium, in a sign of worsening bilateral relations.

Under the agreement, the two countries agreed to dispose of 34 tonnes of plutonium each so that it could not be used to build nuclear weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of not holding up its end of the bargain, issuing a decree in which he called Washington 'a threat to strategic stability' and announcing his country would no longer honour its commitment.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 03.10.16: Russia suspends weapons-grade plutonium deal with US http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37539616

The New York Times, 03.10.16: Vladimir Putin Exits Nuclear Security Pact, Citing ‘Hostile Actions’ by U.S. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/world/europe/russia-plutonium-nuclear-treaty.html

RT, 03.10.16: Putin signs decree suspending Russia-US deal on plutonium disposal over hostile US actions https://www.rt.com/news/361411-russia-suspend-plutonium-deal/

EurActiv, 05.10.16: Russia details plutonium agreement suspension http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/russia-details-plutonium-agreement-suspension/

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