Russia Invites Slovakia to Join Fuel Bank Plan

Russia is seeking Slovakian participation in the international enrichment station being prepared at Angarsk in eastern Siberia, RIA Novosti reported yesterday (see GSN, May 9, 2007).

Under a nonproliferation plan put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin in early 2007, the Angarsk facility would become a multilaterally operated center to enrich uranium and dispose of nuclear waste for developing countries, reducing the need for those nations to produce nuclear fuel themselves.

Under the Russian “fuel bank” initiative, the site would become one of several international nuclear fuel production centers.

“We propose our Slovakian partners join the international uranium enrichment center that is being built by Russia,” Russian Prime Minister Victor Zubkov said after meeting with Robert Fico, his Slovakian counterpart. 

Fico added that the sides also discussed the possible repatriation of spent nuclear fuel to Russia (RIA Novosti, April 3).

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