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Sections & Agencies

U.S. Department of Energy, Moscow Office

Contact Information:

Christine Buzzard, Executive Director, DOE Moscow Office
phone: (495) 728-5220
fax: (495) 728-5360

The Department of Energy's overarching mission is to enhance U.S. national security and safeguard a stable energy supply for the United States. In the area of national security, within the Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) works cooperatively with one of our key international partners, the Russian Federation, to reduce the threat that hostile nations or terrorist groups may acquire weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or weapons-usable materials, dual-use production or technology, or WMD expertise. DOE/NNSA's mission to Russia includes the following four priority areas related to national security:

  • Protect or eliminate weapons and weapons-usable nuclear material or infrastructure, and redirect excess foreign weapons expertise to civilian enterprises
  • Prevent and reverse the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
  • Reduce the risk of accidents in nuclear reactors and facilities
  • Enhance the capability to detect weapons of mass destruction

In the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, DOE/NNSA is accelerating and expanding its cooperation with the Russian Federation to combat nuclear terrorism, particularly in the area of fissile material security. In addition, following the May 2002 Summit in Moscow, Presidents Bush and Putin announced a number of additional initiatives to further enhance collaboration on nuclear material reduction, counter terrorism efforts, and other areas of international security collaboration. The Presidents reiterated their commitment to these efforts during their February 2005 Summit in Bratislava.

DOE has also expanded its bilateral energy cooperation with Russia, including areas such as energy production, energy conservation and efficiency, and development of renewable and alternative energy sources. At the May 2002 Summit in Moscow, Presidents Bush and Putin announced a new energy dialogue between our two nations. The Department of Energy is playing a key role in advancing this dialogue through the U.S.-Russia Energy Working Group.

Mission of the DOE/Moscow Office - U.S. Embassy, Moscow, Russia

The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy-Moscow Office (DOE-M) is to support implementation of DOE and NNSA nonproliferation and energy programs in the Russian Federation. Regarding NNSA's nonproliferation programs, DOE-M works to increase the national security of the United States by working cooperatively with our Russian counterparts at the Federal Atomic Energy Agency, the Russian Navy, the Russian Academy of Sciences and various institutes to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Regarding energy cooperation, DOE-M advances the U.S-Russian energy dialogue by routinely interacting with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade on oil, gas, and energy efficiency issues.

By routinely interacting directly with mid- to senior-level Russian officials on a daily basis, DOE-M is able to advance the implementation of our important cooperative programs. DOE-M works closely with Russian partners, the U.S. Embassy, and other agencies to ensure that U.S. nonproliferation and energy goals are implemented effectively and efficiently.

DOE-M also provides timely information for both DOE/NNSA and elements of the Embassy, providing program information, constructive feedback of DOE programs, and analysis of events in the field. This includes furnishing information to travelers about the in-country perspective related to their programs, providing other Embassy officials with accurate and timely information on DOE/NNSA program activities in Russia, and ensuring that DOE program management receives detailed, accurate, and timely information about Russian energy/nuclear activities, requirements, and views.

DOE-M serves as an administrative support base for visiting DOE/NNSA delegations and personnel traveling to Russia on DOE-related business. DOE-M supports travelers by providing services such as facilitating country clearances, providing direct staff support to delegations, and making logistical arrangements for delegations. DOE-M also provides specialized administrative support for DOE/NNSA programs, such as processing customs clearance into Russia for U.S. equipment and working issues related to tax and duty-free status for assistance projects.

DOE-M currently has seven direct hire American employees and 13 Foreign Service Nationals, one of whom is based in the U.S. Consulate in Yekaterinburg and one based in the U.S. Consulate in St. Petersburg.


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