Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially annulled the long-suspended plutonium disposal agreement with the United States by signing a new law on October 27. The agreement, originally signed in 2000, required both nations to eliminate 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium each — enough to make about 17,000 nuclear warheads — in a way that made it unusable for military purposes. Russia had already suspended the deal in 2016, accusing Washington of violating the terms by adopting an alternative plutonium disposal method. Moscow also cited U.S. “hostile actions” and NATO’s expansion as reasons for the final withdrawal. Analysts warn that the move marks another blow to the fragile framework of nuclear disarmament and may escalate tensions between Moscow and Washington, especially as the New START treaty approaches its 2026 expiry, raising concerns over renewed nuclear arms competition and global security instability.