Volodin announced the beginning of the procedure for revoking the nuclear test ban treaty

On October 17, State Duma deputies will consider in the first reading a bill on Russia’s withdrawal of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). About it reported State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin in his Telegram channel.

“The State Duma is beginning the procedure for revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The first reading of the bill will take place today, October 17,” he wrote.

Volodin explained the withdrawal of ratification of the CTBT by the need to ensure the security of Russia, as well as protect citizens and maintain global strategic parity.

The State Duma speaker also recalled that the United States still has not ratified the treaty, although Russia has been waiting for this for 23 years. “But Washington, due to its double standards and irresponsible attitude towards global security issues, did not do this,” Volodin added.

The bill to revoke ratification of the CTBT was introduced to the State Duma on October 14. Its authors were virtually all deputies of the lower house of parliament, led by faction leaders. Earlier, the head of the Duma Committee on International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, reported that the second and third reading of the document could take place as early as October 18 and 19.

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, as 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.