Lavrov: Russia has not yet found violations of the CTBT during tests at the Nevada test site

Russia has not yet discovered violations of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) during US tests at the Nevada test site, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

“We continue to investigate the facts. So far we have not found anything that would indicate a violation of the CTBT,” he told reporters in Minsk.

October 18 US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) reported about testing at a nuclear test site with an underground chemical explosion “to improve the United States’ ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions around the world.” On the same day, the State Duma approved the law revoking ratification of the CTBT.

Later, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov explained that information about the tests was being verified. He addedthat this explosion does not contradict either the US moratorium on nuclear tests or the provisions of the CTBT, which has not entered into force.

October 25 Light of the Federation approved law on the revocation of ratification of the CTBT. Question about the need to revoke ratification raised Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club on October 5. At the same time, Putin clarified that he cannot say now whether Russia needs nuclear weapons tests. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov explained that the withdrawal of ratification does not mean Russia’s intention to conduct nuclear tests.