Russia suspends nuclear research cooperation deal with US

MOSCOW, Oct 5 (PRIME) -- Russia has suspended an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. on scientific research and development in the nuclear and energy sectors, according to a relevant ruling released Wednesday.

The agreement signed in September 2013 defined directions of scientific and technical cooperation in the sphere of peaceful use of nuclear power, including nuclear safety, designing of nuclear plants, innovative types of reactor fuel, the use of nuclear and radiation technologies in medicine and industrial production, and radioactive waste management.

“Actions taken by the U.S. in connection with introduction of sanctions against Russia have directly affected directions of cooperation stipulated by the agreement,” the ruling said.

According to the government, in April 2014, Russian nuclear power corporation Rosatom received a letter from the U.S. energy ministry’s bureau at the U.S. embassy in Moscow stating that cooperation in the sphere of nuclear power is suspended under instructions by Washington due to events in Ukraine.

“Such a step by the U.S. side is a significant violation of terms of the agreement aimed at expanding cooperation between the sides in scientific research and development in the nuclear and energy spheres and creation of stable, reliable and predictable base for such cooperation,” the ruling said.

Russia ruled to terminate an agreement between Rosatom and the U.S. energy ministry on conversion of nuclear reactors to low-enriched uranium signed in December 2010.

A representative of Rosatom told PRIME that Russia had fully fulfilled all its obligations on earlier concluded contracts to convert Russian research reactors to low-enriched uranium and does not plan to sign any new contracts.

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