Russia Withdraws from Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Thursday that cancels Russia’s adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The move is aimed at aligning Russia with the United States, as Washington had signed but never ratified the treaty in 1996. Russia has stated that it will only resume nuclear testing if the U.S. does so, emphasizing that this change doesn’t alter its nuclear posture or information sharing regarding nuclear activities.

Some experts in Western arms control are concerned that Russia’s move might indicate a potential future nuclear test intended to intimidate and instill fear, especially in the context of the Ukraine conflict.

However, Russian officials have downplayed this idea. Putin, on October 5, mentioned his uncertainty about whether Russia should resume nuclear testing, responding to calls from Russian security experts and lawmakers urging a nuclear test as a warning to the West. If such a test were to occur, it could mark the beginning of a new era of major power nuclear testing, a prospect that worries Western experts.

The de-ratification law received approval from both houses of Russia’s parliament and took immediate effect upon Putin’s endorsement. It’s worth noting that post-Soviet Russia has never conducted a nuclear test, with the Soviet Union’s last test in 1990 and the United States’ in 1992.