- Title: U.S. regrets Russia's suspension of nuclear pact
- Date: 3rd October 2016
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 3, 2016) (STATE TV - Broadcasters: NONE Digital: NONE) STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN ELIZABETH TRUDEAU WALKING TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN ELIZABETH TRUDEAU SAYING: "I would not, but I have a comment on it. We regret Russia's decision to suspend this agreement unilaterally. The United States remains committed to the agreement. It believes it's in the interest of the U.S. and Russia. It's part of our efforts to secure nuclear materials and combat nuclear terrorism. I would note this is the latest in a series of steps by Russia to end long-standing cooperation on nuclear security and disarmament, including its decision to not participate in the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, and its unwillingness to continue arm control reduction. We also note, it's disingenuous of Russia to cite the United States threat to "strategic stability" as a reason for this decision." TRUDEAU WALKING AWAY FROM PODIUM
- Embargoed: 18th October 2016 20:52
- Keywords: nuclear treaty weapons-grade plutonium United States Russia Putin
- Location: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00152GD9AF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The United States said Monday (October 3) it regrets Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to suspend a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, calling their reasoning "disingenuous".
"We regret Russia's decision to suspend this agreement unilaterally. The United States remains committed to the agreement," said State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau at a press briefing.
Putin on Monday suspended a treaty with Washington on cleaning up weapons-grade plutonium, signaling he is willing to use nuclear disarmament as a new bargaining chip in disputes with the United States over Ukraine and Syria.
"This the latest in a series of steps by Russia to end long-standing cooperation on nuclear security and disarmament, including its decision to not participate in the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, and its unwillingness to continue arm control reduction," said Trudeau, "It's disingenuous of Russia to cite the United States threat to strategic stability as a reason for this decision."
Starting in the last years of the Cold War, Russia and the United States signed a series of accords to reduce the size of their nuclear arsenals, agreements that have so far survived intact despite a souring of U.S.-Russian relations under Putin.
But on Monday, Putin issued a decree suspending an agreement, concluded in 2000, which bound the two sides to dispose of surplus plutonium originally intended for use in nuclear weapons.
The Kremlin said it was taking that action in response to unfriendly acts by Washington. It made the announcement shortly before Washington said it was suspending talks with Russia on trying to end the violence in Syria.
The plutonium accord is not the cornerstone of post-Cold War U.S.-Russia disarmament, and the practical implications from the suspension will be limited. But the suspension, and the linkage to disagreements on other issues, carries powerful symbolism.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement on Monday that bilateral contacts with Moscow over Syria were being suspended. Kirby said Russia had failed to live up to its commitments under a ceasefire agreement.
Western diplomats say an end to the Syria talks leaves Moscow free to pursue its military operation in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but without a way to disentangle itself from a conflict which shows no sign of ending.
Russia and the United States are also at loggerheads over Ukraine. Washington, along with Europe, imposed sanctions on Russia after it annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and backed pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. - Copyright Holder: STATE DEPARTMENT TV
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