OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2007. President of Russia Vladimir Putin says that the supplies of Australian uranium to Russia are a commercial rather than political or military-strategic issue.

“I hope that I won’t offend you if I say that I don’t know when and how much uranium Russia will get from Australia. It is not a political or military-strategic, it is an absolutely commercial issue for us,” Putin said while meeting with the members of the Valdai international discussion club.

The meeting took place in Sochi on Sept 14.

Concerning the military-strategic aspects of Russia’s nuclear program Putin pointed out that each year Russia sells 30 tons of enriched uranium to the United States, while in order to create a nuclear  bomb one needs 20–25 kg.

“You know. 20 km is enough for creating a nuclear bomb, while we supply 30 tons a year and are ready to sell 500 tons. I will not specify the amount of the enriched uranium – it is quite big. I just can say that the Australian uranium will be used for peaceful purposes only. It is a business decision,” Putin said.

He pointed out that many countries supply uranium. Russia also can process uranium. It has quite big uranium reserves. What it needs is infrastructure. “We need railroads. It is expensive, but, if need be, we will build them,” Putin said noting that there was no need for that yet.