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The safe storage of plutonium in the form of plutonium oxide (PuO[sub2]) is a major concern in countries with significant plutonium inventories. The goal is to stabilize and package oxide in such a way that the possibility of leaks and failures are unlikely. Currently in Russia, PuO[sub2] is stored at the Mining and Chemical Combine (MCC, Zheleznogorsk) and at the Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC, former Tomsk-7). (Plutonium metal is stored at PA 'Mayak' and is not addressed here). Current storage containers for Russian PuO[sub2] do not meet modern safety requirements. Further, every three years the gaskets have to be replaced. The containers can become overpressurized due to radiation processes, and this results in possible container failures. In the U.S., PuO[sub2] is present at several Department of Energy (DOE) sites. U.S. reports of long-time storage of PuO[sub2] show a few cases of storage container failures among thousands of intact cases. Major causes of malfunction are metal oxidation in nonairtight packages and gas pressurization from inadequately stabilized oxide. Because of these failures, the U.S. DOE adopted a standard for stabilization, packaging and storage of plutonium-bearing material that addresses these vulnerabilities. Research programs both in Russia and the U.S. continue to evaluate metal corrosion, gas generation (e.g., Reference 6), and interaction of PuO[sub2] with residual water (e.g., Reference 7) that may contribute to package failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]