Espreso. Global

Russian State Duma revokes ratification of nuclear test ban treaty

18 October, 2023 Wednesday
16:27

On October 18, the Russian parliament passed a law in the second and third readings to revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

This is reported by the Russian service of Radio Liberty and Interfax.

In the third and final reading, 415 deputies voted in favor, and no one spoke against it. The document, drafted on behalf of State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, was submitted to parliament on October 13.

Radio Liberty reminds us that the initiative to withdraw the ratification was put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin in early October when he said that there was no need to change Russia's nuclear doctrine, but that it was possible to consider withdrawing the ratification of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty since the United States had not ratified it.

Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the withdrawal of the ratification does not mean that Moscow intends to conduct nuclear tests.

For reference. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is an international treaty banning nuclear testing adopted by the United Nations in 1996. It has not been ratified by the United States and China.

Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty: what is known about Russia's withdrawal

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) was approved on September 10, 1996, by a resolution of the UN General Assembly and opened for signature by all countries on September 24, 1996. The main goal of the treaty is to ban all nuclear tests - above ground, underground, in the atmosphere and underwater.

The states that are parties to the CTBT have undertaken legal obligations not to carry out any nuclear explosions and to refrain from inducing, encouraging or participating in any way in the conduct of test explosions. As the treaty is open-ended, this prohibition has no time limit.

In August, the European Union condemned Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons in its aggressive war against Ukraine and emphasized Moscow's compliance with its commitments, including in a statement with China.

Photos from a Russian base in the Arctic show that Russia may be preparing to test an experimental intercontinental ballistic missile.

At the same time, on October 6, the Russian Federation announced that at the next meeting of the State Duma Council, the issue of withdrawing the ratification of the UN Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty would be discussed.

The United States is "alarmed" by the statement of a Russian diplomat about Moscow's plans to cancel the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The US State Department called Russia's steps a "threat to a global norm".

A report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated that the Russian government is moving to withdraw Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

At the same time, on October 17, State Duma deputy Andrei Gurulov of the United Russia party called on Russians to prepare for a nuclear war.

Read also:
  • News
2023, Monday
11 December
14:40
Updated
Britain, Norway create maritime coalition to support Ukraine
14:25
Kherson region: Ukrainian Armed Forces destroy Russian army's command post
14:05
SBU shows photos and video of collaborator Kyva’s elimination site
13:51
Russians push westward from Bakhmut on multiple fronts
13:25
Belarus continues joint military drills with Russia - Belaruski Hayun
13:11
Extreme fire in occupied Feodosia preceded by sounds of explosion: video
12:55
Slovak carriers set to impede movement of trucks departing Ukraine
12:38
British government sets up unit to fight companies avoiding sanctions against Russia
12:17
Updated
Russian missile attack on Kyiv: houses damaged, 4-meter-deep crater appeared
12:07
EU leaders' summit to consider options for security guarantees for Ukraine — Borrell
11:51
Exclusive
Number of combat clashes reaches top levels - military expert Zgurets
11:28
Night attacks on Ukraine: air defense forces destroy 18 drones, 8 ballistic missiles
11:12
Reducing dependence on Russia: Bulgaria, Serbia complete 170 km gas pipeline
10:55
Exclusive
Map of fighting near Avdiivka
Russia's goal in Avdiivka is to capture large number of Ukrainian military — military expert Stupak
10:19
Russia loses 1,030 troops, 19 tanks and 31 armored vehicles per day - General Staff
09:58
Russia claims troops advance 1.5 km near Kreminna and 3.5 km near Vesele — ISW
2023, Sunday
10 December
21:49
Review
Fire at factory in Moscow, drone attack, and explosion at oil depot in occupied Makiivka: This week's blasts in Russia
21:13
Presidents Zelenskyy, Macron discuss France's next aid package
20:46
How Russia wages political war in Europe. Conversation with Anton Shekhovtsov
20:14
Russian troops shell Kherson residential building injuring civilian
19:54
Exclusive
Expecting change after Putin's death is naive - political analyst Fedorchuk
19:21
Zelenskyy meets with presidents of Uruguay, Paraguay and Ecuador in Argentina
18:52
OPINION
Why didn't the Russian army flee behind the Urals when they saw Leopards?
18:21
Russia deploys new corvettes to Black Sea, replacing destroyed Askold in Kerch - media
17:53
Netanyahu talks to Putin for second time since start of war against Hamas
17:25
In Melitopol, invading Russia forces prepare sham elections by bussing in supporters, jamming communications
16:59
Occupying Russian army reinforce positions, pull up reserves in southern frontline
16:36
Missile strike on Ukraine, December 7: UK intel suggests Russia is starting broader campaign on Ukraine's energy infrastructure
16:11
Exclusive
Map of fighting near Avdiivka
Russian forces launch assaults from three directions in attempt to encircle Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka sector
15:48
Russian troops cut ground attacks in Tavria direction, fall back on aviation
15:22
OPINION
Russia will go further
14:38
Sweden considers Gripen aircraft, tested by Ukrainian pilots, for Ukraine - Ihnat
14:16
Blackouts in Ukraine due to Russian attacks will be temporary - Ukraine's Energy Minister
14:15
We'll understand EU summit decision's significance later; right now, the focus is on weaponry
13:49
Russia uses decoy missiles in war of attrition on Ukrainian air defense – ISW
13:24
Hungarian truckers announce new blockade on Ukrainian border
12:53
Sweden's Chief of Defence General Micael Bydén visits Ukrainian artillery units
12:26
Russia loses 10 armored vehicles, 4 tanks, and 700 soldiers in one day of war in Ukraine – General Staff 
11:58
ISW: Russian forces escalate offensive to gain momentum ahead of presidential elections
11:30
Russian police raid Kherson region, searching for underground group
More news