Ukraine to dispose of enriched uranium

WASHINGTON - Ukraine's decision to get rid of its enriched uranium by 2012 - a move announced by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych at the Washington Nuclear Security Summit on Monday - has been deemed as a boost for the meeting.

It will help realize the ambition of US President Barack Obama's administration to secure all vulnerable nuclear materials worldwide within four years, analysts said.

"The decision will help ease tensions among international players, and has served as a forecast for the handling of atomic fuel in the future," said Zhai Dequan, deputy director of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association.