Termination of Emergency With Respect to the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation Created by the Accumulation of a Large Volume of Weapons-Usable Fissile Material in the Territory of the Russian Federation

This executive order terminates a 2012 national emergency declared under Executive Order 13617 regarding the risk of nuclear proliferation from weapons-usable fissile material accumulated in Russia. The termination is based on the successful implementation of the 1993 U.S.-Russia Highly Enriched Uranium disposition agreement, which reduced the threat that originally justified the emergency declaration.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 30331

Impact dates

May 26, 2015
Termination of national emergency and revocation of EO 13617 takes effect

Key directives

Terminate national emergency declared in Executive Order 13617 of June 25, 2012
Revoke Executive Order 13617
Preserve actions taken, pending proceedings, matured rights, duties, and incurred penalties prior to termination date

Timeline

Immediate

Termination of national emergency declared in EO 13617
Revocation of EO 13617

Near term (90d)

Continuation of any pending proceedings or actions based on pre-termination acts or committed prior to May 26, 2015

Long term

Potential streamlining of U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation licensing
Removal of IEEPA-based sanctions authorities specific to this fissile material risk

Risks & tensions

EO does not specify whether new Russian fissile material accumulation could trigger re-declaration
Preservation clause in Section 1 creates legal complexity for ongoing enforcement actions
Timing during deteriorating U.S.-Russia relations (post-Crimea 2014) may appear discordant with broader policy
No alternative authorities specified to replace IEEPA framework for this specific risk