Russia ceases cooperation with U.S. on research reactor conversation, suspends scientific developments
MOSCOW. Oct 5 (Interfax) - Russia has decided to discontinue its cooperation with the United States on research reactor conversation and suspend relevant scientific research and developments, according to the government's directive published on its website.
With regard to the agreement on researching the possibility of converting research reactors, "we have fulfilled all obligations under the signed contracts," a Rosatom spokesperson said. No new contracts are being planned because artificial conversion has its costs, in particular, it makes the production of medical isotopes less efficient, the Rosatom spokesperson said.
With regard to the suspension of the agreement on scientific-technical cooperation, "partners have not made a single concrete step on account of the sanctions regime imposed by the U.S.," Rosatom said. This agreement "has been dormant for two years now," the state corporation said.
"The actions taken by the United States related to the introduction of sanctions against Russia have directly affected the areas of cooperation," according to government reports on both issues.
With regard to the suspension of the agreement on scientific research and development, Russia notes U.S. violation of its terms, since the U.S. suspended "nuclear energy cooperation in connection with the events in Ukraine." U.S. partners cancelled bilateral meetings and events on nuclear energy, the Russian government said in its statement.
"The regular extension of US sanctions against Russia, including the suspension of Russian-US nuclear energy cooperation, requires the adoption of countermeasures in relation to the U.S.," according to the statement. Meanwhile, Russia reserves the possibility of resuming cooperation under the agreement "when that is justified by the general context of relations with the United States."
With regard to the suspension of the cooperation on conversion, the government supported the relevant Rosatom proposal, now it is up to the state corporation to notify the U.S. of the decision that has been made.
The research reactor conversion agreement was signed in 2010. The Russian-U.S. cooperation in this area was carried out under a program to convert research and test reactors to low-enriched fuel (below 20% uranium-235), which aimed to reduce the risk of a spread of radioactive material for terrorist purposes.
In 2013, the parties agreed on cooperation in nuclear and energy-related scientific research and development.
In the middle of the spring of 2014, the U.S. suspended its cooperation with Russia under a number of "peaceful atom" projects, citing Russia's actions in Ukraine. At issue were meetings on the scientific topic. By the end of the year, talks over new nuclear-related projects had been suspended, Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko said at the time.
