Monthly Highlights from the Russian Arctic, October 2024
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.
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Russia to Sell Uranium on World Market
Publish date: December 15, 1997
Written by: Thomas Jandl
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Russia to Sell Uranium on World Market
Russia's Ministry of Nuclear Energy announced it would terminate a 10-year contract with the United States and begin to sell uranium on the open market, according to the Washington Post. The uranium stems from dismantled nuclear weapons. It was sold to the U.S.-based consortium at a discounted price under the now ruptured contract.
The decision marks yet another step along the learning curve on Russia’s path towards a free-market economy, although this time Washington may be gnashing its teeth about its student’s progress. Russia stands to make an additional $300 million to $500 million from the sale on the international markets.
However, the decision is also a snub at the United States nuclear policy towards Russia. Moscow will no longer "accept discriminatory, unprofitable conditions" for its commercial grade uranium, the Washington Post quoted First Deputy Atomic Energy Minister Aleksandr Belesokhov. The West has a keen interest in keeping tight control over Russian nuclear materials.
The contract between Russia and the U.S.-based buying consortium had been signed as recently as August. The group comprises Cameco mining of Canada, Cogema of France and Nukem of the United States.
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Bellona Nuclear Digest. October 2024
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
Putin leaves Kazakhstan without deal to build nuclear plant
A visit last week by Vladimir Putin and a Kremlin entourage to Astana, Kazakhstan sought in part to put Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, on good footing with local officials.
Moscow snips last ties to cooperative nuclear cleanup agreement with West
Russia is formally withdrawing from a landmark environmental agreement that channeled billions in international funding to secure the Soviet nuclear legacy, leaving undone some of the most radioactively dangerous projects and burning one more bridge of potential cooperation with the West.