Nuclear disarmament - A consultant's ohservations

The changed situation in the conflict between the superpowers after the end of the Cold War requires a reduction in the excessive number of weapon systems, especially of nuclear weapons of mass destruction. While the U.S. approach is relatively transparent, Russia harbors a large number of administrative and technical reservations and uncertainties. This affects the nuclear fuel cycle in particular. The contribution analyzes the general boundary conditions, taking into account experience accumulated on the spot in a number of trips to Russia in the course of the past decade. A detailed account is given of the current situation in the civilian and military nuclear sectors in Russia. The state of development and the problems of the Russian nuclear fuel cycle are addressed. Other items discussed are aspects of the future nuclear fuel supply situation and other perspectives of the use of nuclear power in Russia associated with an establishment of closed nuclear fuel cycles in the interest of the long-term continuity of power supply.