Recent declassified transcripts reveal that in a 2005 meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush expressed significant concerns regarding Pakistan’s nuclear proliferation activities, specifically its uranium being found in Iran’s nuclear program. Both leaders acknowledged the risks posed by Islamabad’s nuclear stewardship, with Putin characterizing Pakistan as a junta with nuclear weapons and criticizing the lack of international pressure on it compared to Iran and North Korea. This candid dialogue underscores the persistent unease among global powers concerning Pakistan’s nuclear governance, highlighting the potential for catastrophic leakage and the broader implications for international security in a post-9/11 context. The documents reflect a shared anxiety about Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities and their proliferation risks, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in South Asia.