Russian President Vladimir Putin has floated the idea of transporting and storing Iran’s enriched uranium on Russian soil, raising the proposal directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to China. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the discussion on May 21, 2026.
The proposal targets one of the most sensitive flashpoints in global nuclear politics: Iran’s stockpile of approximately 450 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent. That’s not weapons-grade (which requires roughly 90 percent enrichment), but it’s close enough to make Western governments deeply uncomfortable.
A proposal that keeps coming back
This isn’t a fresh idea. Russia first pitched the uranium storage concept back in June 2025, positioning itself as a neutral custodian that could defuse the standoff between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program.
Putin then raised it again with US President Donald Trump in March 2026. Trump rejected it. As of early February 2026, Russia’s foreign ministry publicly stated that the initiative remained on the table for Iran to consider.
