The U.S. Department of Energy suspended several joint projects with Russia-backed nuclear agency Rosatom in the peaceful use of nuclear energy citing “Russia’s actions in Ukraine.”

The suspension refers specifically to a number of scheduled technical meetings on scientific topics. Rosatom said in a statement that it considers the move “a mistake.”

“Nuclear power is a very delicate and serious matter,” Rosatom said in the statement. “It requires responsible and professional approach on the part of all participants in terms of international cooperation. Politics should have no place in this field. ROSATOM stresses that any attempts to impose unilateral restrictions in this area will affect the initiators of such moves first.”

The DOE could not be reached for comment.

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