Russia's parliament approves withdrawal from plutonium disposal pact with the US

Russia's lower house of parliament approved measures to withdraw from a plutonium disposal agreement with the United States. The 2000 agreement, which came into effect in 2011, committed both nations to dispose of at least 34 tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium each. Russia suspended its implementation in 2016, citing U.S. actions. The agreement aimed to reduce nuclear proliferation risks. Russia claims the U.S. has fundamentally altered the strategic balance and poses a threat to stability.