Russia Withdraws from US Plutonium Disposal Pact Ending Decade-Long Suspension

Russia's State Duma has formally approved a decision to withdraw from the Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA) with the United States, a pact originally signed in 2000 to reduce stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium. The agreement required both countries to dispose of 34 metric tons of such plutonium, enough for thousands of nuclear warheads, through conversion to safer forms. Russia suspended the implementation of the treaty in 2016, citing U.S. sanctions, NATO expansion, and allegations that the U.S. did not comply with the agreed disposal methods. Russian officials emphasize that the withdrawal is in the national interest and reflect deteriorating bilateral relations, including frustrations over U.S. policies and support for Ukraine. The formal withdrawal marks the end of a key post-Cold War nuclear arms control effort between the two largest nuclear powers. The Russian parliament's lower chamber has approved the move, with the upper chamber and President Putin expected to finalize the exit.