The Congress finds that it is in the national security interest of the United States⁠—

(1)  to facilitate, on a priority basis⁠—

(A)  the transportation, storage, safeguarding, and destruction of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction of the independent states of the former Soviet Union;

(B)  the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and destabilizing conventional weapons of the independent states, and the establishment of verifiable safeguards against the proliferation of such weapons;

(C)  the prevention of diversion of weapons-related scientific expertise of the former Soviet Union to terrorist groups or third countries; and

(D)  other efforts designed to reduce the military threat from the former Soviet Union;

(2)  to support the conversion of the massive defense-related industry and equipment of the independent states of the former Soviet Union for civilian purposes and uses; and

(3)  to expand military-to-military contacts between the United States and the independent states.