Putin revokes Russia’s ratification of global nuclear test ban treaty, a week after overseeing a ballistic missile drill
- The 1996 treaty outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons, but it never came into force because some countries never ratified it
- Putin recently oversaw ballistic missile drills in what the defence ministry called practice for a ‘massive’ retaliatory nuclear strike against an unnamed enemy
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a law revoking Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
The 1996 treaty outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons, though it never came into force because some key countries – including the United States and China – never ratified it.
Putin has said that rescinding the ratification of the treaty, would “mirror” the stand taken by the US.
The West has accused Russia of using reckless nuclear rhetoric since it launched its offensive on Ukraine last February.
02:12
Russia launches missile drills to test its ability to deliver ‘massive’ retaliatory nuclear strike
Putin last week oversaw ballistic missile drills in what Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said was practice for a “massive” retaliatory nuclear strike against an unnamed enemy.
Russia says that it will not resume testing unless Washington does and that its de-ratification does not change its nuclear posture or the way it shares information about its nuclear activities.
Robert Floyd, head of the organisation, whose job is to promote recognition of the treaty and build up its verification regime to ensure no nuclear tests go undetected, condemned Russia’s step.
“Today’s decision by the Russian Federation to revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is very disappointing and deeply regrettable,” Floyd, who had tried to lobby senior Russian officials to get them to change their mind, said on X, formerly Twitter.
The bill to revoke the treaty passed through Russia’s parliament last month in a fast track process.
During parliamentary hearings, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the move to revoke the treaty was a response to the United States’ “cynicism” and “boorish attitudes” on nuclear weapons.
Although it never entered into force, the agreement was ratified by 178 countries, including nuclear powers France and Britain, and has symbolic value.
Its backers say it established an international norm against live tests of nuclear weapons, but critics say the potential of the deal remains unrealised without the ratifications of major nuclear powers.
Russia’s parliament ratified the agreement in June 2000, six months after Putin first became president.
Post-Soviet Russia has never carried out a nuclear test. The Soviet Union last tested in 1990 and the United States in 1992.
Reporting by Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, Reuters
