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of the Russian elite think that the United States would not increase its non-proliferation assistance if
Russia contributes more of its own funds to deal with the problem. 20
The June 2002 G8 summit in Kananaskis, Canada supported the Kremlin’s stance. The
agreement reached at the summit calls on G8 members, excluding Russia, and the European
Commission to raise up to $20 billion during the next ten years for dismantling decommissioned
nuclear submarines, disposing fissile materials, and employing former weapons scientists. 21 The
United States will provide 50 percent of this amount, while the European Union, Japan, and Canada
will give the remaining funds. 22 While the summit’s documents do not specify what countries will
receive this aid, it is clear that the bulk of it will go to former Soviet republics, including Russia, if
the agreement is implemented. 23
It remains to be seen whether and exactly how much Russia will receive from its G8 partners
and the European Commission. It is clear, however, that these billions could significantly reduce the
possibility of terrorists acquiring WMD and WMD components if the money is spent in the three
following ways: to ensure that all of Russia’s NBC materials are safely stored or disposed of; to
prevent leaks of WMD technologies, including brain-drain; and to make Russia’s currently porous
borders more difficult for WMD smugglers to cross.
20 Ibid.
21 “The G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction,” Statement by the
Group of Eight Leaders, Kananaskis, Canada, June 27, 2002.
22 “Fact Sheet G-7/8 Kananaskis Summit Day Two - U.S. Accomplishments,” Office of the Press Secretary of the
President of the United States, June 27, 2002.
23 “Russia: U.S. To Aid Nuclear-Arsenal Cleanup,” RFE/RL, June 28, 2002. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgii
Mamedov said in October 2002 that fellow members of the G8 would give Russia $15 billion. The United States would
allocate $10 billion while other G8 members would give $3.7 billion, and the European Union, $1 billion. Another $5
billion would come from Russia. In exchange, G8 members would write off $5 billion in Russian debt. Aleksei
Nikolskii, Elena Evstigneeva, Ekaterina Kudashkina, “Semerka Naskrebla 15 Milliardov” [G7 has raised $15 billion],
Vedomosti, October 23, 2002.
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