In The Sphere Of Disarmament Russia Occupies A Consistent And Responsible Position

In connection with the destruction of the last nuclear missile, withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "At the end of October 2001, in accordance with the decision of the Presidents of Russia, the United States and Ukraine, taken on January 14, 1994, the last nuclear weapon, withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine, has been destroyed. "In this way the appropriate provisions of the protocol to the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms have been fulfilled, the Ukraine has realised its non-nuclear choice, and one of the basic conditions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has been observed. "The abolition of nuclear ammunition withdrawn from the territory of Ukraine has once more demonstrated the consistency and responsibility of Russia in the matters of disarmament. It has shown the sincere aspiration of our country to develop international cooperation in the interests of strengthening stability and security in the world. "I want to point out specially that at all stages of this unprecedented operation in its scale and complexity the full safety of the nuclear ammunition were ensured. I express my sincere gratitude to the servicemen, the atomic industry workers, diplomats and all experts who took part in this important work."