ExecutiveOrdersEO
DetDeterminationObama · D Quiet signal

Presidential Determination

Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America And the Government of the Russian Federation for Cooperation In the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

President Obama approved a 2008 U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, determining it would not pose an unreasonable risk to common defense and security. The determination directed the Secretary of State to publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 27163

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register filing

Key directives

  • Approve proposed Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy with Russia
  • Determine performance promotes and does not unreasonably risk common defense and security
  • Direct Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Determination signed and approved
  • Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Federal Register publication completed (filed May 13, 2010)

Long term

  • Implementation of U.S.-Russia peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement

Risks & tensions

  • Post-Cold War nuclear cooperation with Russia subject to geopolitical shifts
  • Nonproliferation concerns inherent in nuclear technology transfer agreements
  • Determination language ('unreasonable risk') leaves room for subjective security assessment
Presidential Determination: Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America And the Government of the Russian Federation for Cooperation In the Field of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy · Executive Orders