Russia has announced plans to revoke the ratification of the global nuclear test ban treaty, mirroring the action taken by the United States. However, senior Russian diplomat Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov emphasized that Russia will only resume nuclear tests if the US does so first. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, adopted in 1996 but never fully implemented, prohibits all nuclear explosions worldwide. While signed by both Russia and the US, the treaty was never ratified by the US.
There are concerns that Russia’s decision to potentially resume nuclear tests is aimed at deterring the West from providing military support to Ukraine. Many Russian hawks have expressed support for this move. Last week, President Vladimir Putin warned that the 2000 decision to ratify the treaty could be rescinded, although no firm decision has been made yet.
The speaker of the Russian parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, has stated that lawmakers will work to rescind the ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty. The foreign affairs committee has been given ten days to prepare the issue for consideration by the house. Ryabkov criticized the US for failing to ratify the treaty and expressed hope that Washington would take notice of Russia’s actions.
Ryabkov emphasized that Russia has waited for 23 years for the US to ratify the treaty, and there are no indications that this will happen. Therefore, Russia feels compelled to balance its position and potentially resume tests if the US conducts one. He highlighted Putin’s earlier order to prepare the country’s nuclear testing range for possible resumption of tests.