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Russia to Provide China with Nuclear Reactor Technology: A Deal That Could Shift the Global Nuclear Balance

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BNN Correspondents
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In a move that could drastically alter the global balance of nuclear weapons, Russia has announced plans to provide China with nuclear reactor technology.

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This decision comes after the recent Russia-China meeting, during which Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping agreed on a long-term deal to continue developing fast breeder nuclear reactors optimized for plutonium production for nuclear weapons.

Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear power company, has reportedly completed the transfer of 25 tons of highly-enriched uranium to China's CFR-600 nuclear reactor.

This reactor is believed to have the capacity to produce up to 50 nuclear warheads annually. Russia's increasing nuclear technology exports are seen as a strategic move to offset the financial losses incurred from Western sanctions imposed in response to the war. These sanctions have significantly impacted Russia's energy and arms exports.

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As the world's largest supplier of nuclear reactors and fuel, Russia's expertise in this field has been crucial to China's development of fast reactors.

These reactors utilize liquid metal instead of water to moderate operations, a technology rooted in Russian innovation. By sharing this technology with China, Russia aims to strengthen its ties with Beijing while simultaneously enhancing China's nuclear capabilities.

This deal has far-reaching implications for the global balance of nuclear weapons. With China potentially increasing its nuclear arsenal at a rapid pace, other nations may be prompted to follow suit in a bid to maintain their own security.

As the world watches closely, the impact of this Russia-China nuclear partnership is yet to be fully understood.

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