Стр. 8 - V

Электронное приложение к журналу «Международная жизнь»
Author : K. Tarasov
Vice Consul, Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Montreal, postgraduate student, Depart-
ment of Applied International Analysis, School of Political Science, Moscow State Institute (University)
of International Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Effects of the transformation of the international rela-
tions system at the end of the 20th and the beginning of
the 21st century have included changes in the character
of global security threats. The emergence of a black mar-
ket for nuclear materials, information and technologies
and the possibility of extremist networks getting hold of
nuclear weapons are among new sources of danger.
Recent achievements in various fields of technology are
one more obstacle to maintaining the nonproliferation
regime.
All this gives special importance to the study of Russian and American policies on nonprolifer-
ation as Russia and the United States hold the unique status of nations with the most powerful
strategic nuclear arsenals.
The Concept prescribed that Russia join the missile technology control regime (MTCR) as an
equal participant and called for a universal and comprehensive ban on nuclear tests.
An analysis of Russian and American government documents makes clear that nonproliferation
is high on the agenda of both sides and is acknowledged by them as a problem of fundamental
importance.
The mid-2000s were a landmark moment in Russia as documents came out setting fundamental
objectives for Moscow's nonproliferation policy.
TOWARD THE END of the 20th century, the United States had embarked on serious changes
to its position on nonproliferation. The initial changes were recorded in the Defense Counter-
proliferation Initiative of 1993.
AN ANALYSIS of Russian and American government documents makes clear that nonprolif-
eration is high on the agenda of both sides and is acknowledged by them as a problem of fun-
damental importance.
Both nations focus on a wide range of measures such as building stronger guarantees of nuclear
safety, control of nuclear materials, including control of their exports and of plutonium recycling.
Russia and the United States discussed these measures during world nuclear security summits in
Washington on April 12-13, 2010, in Seoul on March 26-27, 2012, and in The Hague on March
24-25, 2014.
Russia and the United States have made a large number of joint achievements such as initiatives
to consolidate the nonproliferation regime, enhance guarantees of nuclear safety and security,
prevent trafficking in nuclear materials, limit the use of highly enriched uranium and plutonium
in reactors, and prevent nuclear terrorism.
The adverse trends of the past couple of years devalue achievements that preceded them and
raise obstacles to finding answers to a wide range of complicated and multifaceted security-re-
lated questions. Respect for each other's interests is the only way to remove those obstacles.
Nonproliferation: Russian and American Policies