Russian plutonium reactors to be stopped

An agreement on stopping three Russian reactors, which produce plutonium, was signed in Vienna on March 11, 2003. Russian Nuclear Minister Alexander Rumyantsev and US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham signed this document, the press service of the Russian Nuclear Ministry reported to RBC.

According to this agreement, Russia undertakes not to use plutonium, produced at these reactors, or any highly-enriched uranium, extracted from spent fuel and stopped reactors, in nuclear weapons. Additionally, Russia is to provide data necessary for monitoring activities at the plutonium reactors, and to receive observers to make sure that these reactors are not operating.

In its turn, the USA will gradually finance joint activities for creating alternative energy sources on the basis of organic fuel.