US Defense Bill Bans Funding of Russian Nuclear Nonproliferation Efforts

The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the US House of Representatives on Friday bans providing assistance to Russia for nuclear nonproliferation initiatives.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Secretary of Energy can suspend the ban, according to the bill, if such a waiver is in the national security interests of the United States.

“None of the funds authorized… for defense nuclear nonproliferation activities may be obligated or expended to enter into a contract with, or otherwise provide assistance to, the Russian Federation,” the bill, passed on Friday, stated.

The NDAA also prohibits providing Russia with “hit-to-kill” missile defense technology data and integration of Russian missile defense systems with US or NATO capabilities.

The defense budget bill authorizes defensive lethal assistance to Ukraine, will withhold funding for the US implementation of the new START nuclear reduction agreement and stipulates that US military leaders will develop a plan to defeat Russia’s Club-K cruise missile system.

On Friday, the US House of Representatives passed the NDAA 269-151, which appropriates a total of $611.8 billion in defense spending for the 2016 fiscal year.