Cancellation of CTBT ratification does not mean resumption of nuclear tests – Kommersant
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Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov answered the question whether Russia would resume testing nuclear weapons if the State Duma cancels the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). As the Kremlin representative explained, such a decision by the State Duma does not at all mean an intention to conduct such tests.
“The President primarily meant the need to bring the de facto situation to a common denominator. We signed and ratified a long time ago. The Americans did not ratify. And to bring it to a common denominator, the President allowed the possibility of revoking this ratification. Volodin announced his readiness to do this. This does not mean a statement of intention to conduct nuclear tests,” Dmitry Peskov said during a press call.
Russia signed the CTBT, which prohibits all types of nuclear explosions, in 1996 and ratified it in 2000. The United States has signed but has not yet ratified the treaty, preventing it from entering into force. At the same time, both countries committed themselves to refrain from nuclear tests. The USSR conducted its last nuclear test in 1990 (Russia did not conduct them), the USA – in 1992.
October 5, President Vladimir Putin during a meeting of the Valdai Club notedthat Russia has signed and ratified a ban on nuclear weapons testing, unlike the United States. In his opinion, “theoretically, this ratification can be revoked.” Earlier today, Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Vyacheslav Volodin reportedthat the State Duma Council at the next meeting will discuss the withdrawal of ratification of the treaty. It will take place on October 9 at 16:00 Moscow time.
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