Newly declassified documents reveal that in 2001, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concerns to US President George W. Bush about Pakistan's nuclear program, calling it a "junta with nuclear weapons." Both leaders shared anxieties regarding Pakistan's nuclear stability and potential proliferation, particularly concerning links to Iran and North Korea. They viewed Pakistan under military ruler Pervez Musharraf as a significant non-proliferation risk, with Putin questioning the West's lack of criticism towards a non-democratic nuclear state. The documents, covering conversations from 2001-2008, highlight shared fears about the control of Pakistan's atomic assets.