US Energy Department Halts Cooperation with Russia on Peaceful Nuclear Projects

Forum Contacts RSS		RUSSIAN

RIA Novosti, PUBLISHED 03.04.2014

The US Department of Energy has suspended cooperation with its Russian counterpart on several experimental projects that focused on the peaceful nuclear energy, a spokesperson with Rosatom nuclear agency told RIA-Novosti Thursday.

"The US side has informed us about a freeze on some joint projects in the sphere of peaceful nuclear energy. We are talking specifically about a series of technical meetings, including scientific ones," the source with the state-run Rosatom agency confirmed.

The United States cited "Russia's action in Ukraine" as the reason for its decision to put nuclear cooperation on hold.

Russian spokesperson stressed that Rosatom considered this move a mistake that ran counter to the "constructive atmosphere" that had been characteristic of US-Russian joint effort in the energy field for the past few years.

"Nuclear energy is a very delicate and serious matter," the spokesperson added. "It requires a responsible and professional take from all international participants. It mustn't get political."

The source also noted that any attempt to put unilateral restrictions on energy cooperation is bound to backfire at its initiator.

Topics: USA, Russia

Other news:

Hungary Enacts Law to Expand Nuclear Power With Russian Aid

Hungary’s president has signed a bill into law to expand a nuclear power plant in the country with Russian assistance.

Hungary Lawmakers OK Russia Nuclear Plant Deal

Russia will provide Hungary a loan of up to 10 billion euros ($13.5 billion) - around 80 percent of construction costs.

Russia to Lend Hungary $13.7Bln for Nuclear Plant

The deal was announced during a state visit to Moscow by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and was hailed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Hero of the day

Questions for Jerry Hopwood

We are currently working with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) on this approach, which was submitted in response to their February 2012 call for alternative proposals. We appreciate that the UK is in the early stages of their policy development activities and are pleased to be involved in such important work.

INTERVIEW

Yanko Yanev
Unfortunately, we live in this age of narrow political thinking. Each of our politicians think how to survive, whether he will be the next convocation of the parliament or the government or not.

OPINION

Joint Plan of Action
The goal for these negotiations is to reach a mutually-agreed long-term comprehensive solution that would ensure Iran's nuclear programme will be exclusively peaceful. Iran reaffirms that under no circumstances will Iran ever seek or develop any nuclear weapons.