Bush cancels nuclear deal with Russia

The US today cancelled a once-celebrated civilian nuclear co-operation deal with Russia.

The State Department announced Washington’s pointed but mostly symbolic expression of displeasure with Moscow in a briefing with reporters.

The move coincides with a recently announced one billion foreign aid package for Georgia and the time Vice President Dick Cheney spent last week railing against Russia in visits to former Soviet republics to form the Bush administration’s punishment of Moscow for its invasion of Georgia last month.

The nuclear deal was highly unlikely to win approval in Congress this year in any event, but President George W Bush decided to actively withdraw it to make a loud statement.

The deal for extensive and unprecedented co-operation between the two nations was sent to Congress for approval in May, capping two years of tough negotiations.