The Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Ukraine on the Recycling of Nuclear Warheads was concluded in Yalta on 3 September 1993, in two copies, the Russian and Ukrainian texts being equally authentic. Signatories: Viktor Chernomyrdin and Leonid Kuchma. Article 6: entry into force on the exchange of notifications that domestic procedures are complete; duration 30 years, adjustable in writing; termination on one year’s notice. It is part of the Massandra package; it is not the one-sentence Black Sea Fleet protocol, dated the same day but at Moscow.

The preamble reaffirms the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty, START I of 1991 and the April 1992 agreement on the transfer of nuclear munitions from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Article 2: Russia is to ensure the recycling of warheads deployed in Ukraine and the processing of the resulting uranium for Ukrainian power-station fuel or other peaceful uses — a framework, without dismantling procedures. Article 3 ties fuel deliveries to Ukraine placing its nuclear activities under IAEA safeguards; implementing contracts follow within six months and may not derogate from the agreement.

Article 4 designates implementing agencies (the defence ministries and atomic-energy authorities), replaceable on notice. Article 5: unhindered entry and exit of personnel and reciprocal tax concessions, to be agreed later. We do not describe transport, storage or conversion of materials.

The other three Massandra pieces — the fleet protocol, the basic principles for strategic-force warheads and missile-system oversight — are separate instruments. The text consulted is the English translation of the recycling agreement, aligned with the Russian MFA record (signed 3 September 1993).

Kuchma was prime minister, not yet president. Massandra Palace, an official residence near Yalta, hosted the talks; Article 6 says “Done in Yalta”, not “Massandra”.

Cover: Massandra Palace near Yalta, the venue of the talks; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Massandra Accords; Agreement on the Recycling of Nuclear Warheads (Yalta).