The lower house of the Russian parliament has approved the withdrawal from the agreement with the USA for the reduction of military plutonium stocks, citing strategic threats.

Russia has decided to withdraw from the historic agreement signed in 2000 with the United States, which provided for the elimination of 34 tons of military-grade plutonium. This agreement, aimed at reducing nuclear stockpiles, was suspended by Russia in 2016 due to American sanctions and actions deemed hostile. The withdrawal is justified by Moscow due to changes in the strategic balance and threats to strategic stability. Russia and the USA together control approximately 8,000 nuclear warheads.