Escalating tensions, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it would consider stopping international inspections of its nuclear weapons in response to the U.S. threat of sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine situation.

Because Iran has held up its end of the nuclear bargain so far, it will receive the second installment of sanctions relief within the next few days.

The Senate has finally voted to confirm Rose Gottemoeller to serve as undersecretary of State for arms control and international security. A 58-42 vote ended the debate.

The fiscal year 2015 budget includes additional spending for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s weapons account, rising from from $7.78 billion FY14 to $8.31 billion. One of the major non-proliferation budget items, the “MOX” program, will be put on “cold standby” as the Department of Energy seeks a more cost-effective way to dispose of plutonium.

With Russian troops now occupying Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, some have wondered whether it was a smart move for Kiev to eliminate its nuclear stockpile after the collapse of the Soviet Union.