Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Russia-US Sign Protocol on Destroying Weapons-Grade Plutonium

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have signed a protocol on amending a Russian-US agreement on the destruction of weapons-grade plutonium. The signing ceremony was part of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.

Major Provision
Under the protocol, the United States will allocate up to $400 million as a contribution to a Russian program in which the Russian Government plans to allot $2.5 billion, a joint Russian-US statement released after the protocol was signed said.

Improving Nuclear Security
The protocol opens the path for Russia and the United States to start the practical implementation of the agreement on destroying 34 tons of excessive weapons-grade plutonium each. The protocol and the agreement are an important contribution that Russia and the United States are making to improve nuclear security in the world.

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