USA Will Provide Technology to Ukraine in Exchange for Uranium Removal

KYIV, Ukraine, September 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The United States of America are ready to provide Ukrainian research institutions with new technology in exchange for removal of highly enriched uranium from the country, stated the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych on September 22 after meeting President of the United States Barack Obama in New York City.

To compensate Ukraine's loss of highly enriched uranium, the United States have offered Ukraine new technology which would enable its scientists to conduct studies on low-enriched uranium.  "Currently, the U.S. is ready to launch production of the respective equipment for Ukraine and gradually deliver it to our research centers. All the necessary documentation will be signed, which will provide guarantees to the both parties of the agreement," stated Ukrainian president at the 66^th plenary session of the UN General Assembly.

The Ukrainian President highlighted that Ukraine is consistent in its efforts toward nuclear disarmament and supports complete liquidation of nuclear arms around the world. He also urged the leaders of other countries to follow Ukraine's example and promote disarmament and proliferation by actual deeds.  

In June 2011, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov declared that Ukraine has largely implemented its commitment of removing highly enriched uranium from its territory. The country's decision to remove the nuclear substance was a great input into nuclear security of the world, stated Azarov at the meeting with Yukia Amano, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna. In 2010 alone Ukraine removed 106 kilograms (approx. 234 pounds) of enriched uranium, as reported by Korrespondent.net.

The decision to get rid of highly enriched uranium was first stated by President Yanukovych in April 2010 during the Washington Summit on nuclear safety, initiated by the U.S. President Barack Obama. In the meantime it's been noted that Ukraine would convert its nuclear reactors for the use of low-enriched uranium. The country is set to remove the rest of the high-enriched radioactive material before the upcoming Seoul summit.