Russia needs at least $5 bln to eliminate chemical weapons

Russia needs at least $5 bln to eliminate chemical weapons. This information is provided in the documents prepared by the federal ammunition agency for the government's session to be held on Thursday, October 2.

The agency estimates Russia's chemical weapons at 40,000 tons.

The liquidation of these weapons is being supervised by the international community within the framework of the convention on banning chemical weapons, which Russia ratified in 1997. It should complete the liquidation of chemical weapons before April 29, 2012.

The federal targeted programme for the elimination of chemical weapons has had the presidential status since 2001. This question is being studied by 20 federal power bodies and six constituent members of the Russian Federation.

The USA, Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland and the European Union are rendering gratuitous assistance to Russia in the elimination of chemical weapons.

However, the Russian ammunition agency points out, "the total volume of assistance in this sphere is no more than 5-10 percent of what Russia needs."