Blinken expressed US concern about Russia’s withdrawal of ratification of the CTBT
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Washington is deeply concerned about Russia’s planned decision to withdraw ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Statement by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken published on the State Department website.
“Unfortunately, this is a significant step in the wrong direction, which moves us further away from the entry into force of the Treaty, rather than closer to it. Russia’s actions will only undermine confidence in the international arms control regime,” the statement said.
Blinken recalled that “according to Russian officials, Russia’s planned withdrawal from the ratification program does not mean a resumption of testing.” The US Secretary of State called on Moscow to “adhere to these statements.”
Russia signed an agreement to accept the treaty on September 24, 1996. The document prohibits nuclear weapons tests and nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes. The moratorium applies in the atmosphere, in space, under water and underground. The CTBT has not yet entered into force because it has not been ratified by the United States, Egypt, Israel, Iran and China and has not been signed by India, North Korea and Pakistan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin raised the issue of the need to revoke ratification at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club on October 5. At the same time, he clarified that he cannot say now whether Russia needs nuclear weapons tests. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov explainedthat the withdrawal of ratification does not mean that Russia intends to conduct nuclear tests. Later he notedthat the withdrawal of ratification of the treaty de jure equalizes the rights of Russia and the United States.
The document on the revocation of ratification of the CTBT was submitted to the State Duma on October 14, and deputies adopted it on October 18. Council of the Federation approved the law is a week later, October 25. Putin signed the law revoking ratification of the CTBT on November 2.
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