Putin signs bill revoking Russia’s ratification of nuclear test ban treaty

President Vladimir Putin signed a bill Thursday that revokes Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban, a step Moscow said was necessary to achieve parity with the United States.

Putin has said that withdrawing ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, also known as the CTBT, would reflect the position of the US, which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.

Both houses of Russia’s parliament voted last month to withdraw Moscow’s ratification of the bill.

The CTBT, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, but the treaty was never fully implemented. In addition to the US, it still needs to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.

There are widespread concerns that Russia will resume nuclear testing in an effort to deter the West from continuing to provide military support to Ukraine. Many Russia hawks have spoken out in favor of resuming testing.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia’s move represents a significant step in the wrong direction, taking us further from, not closer to, entry into force. Russia’s action will only reduce confidence in the international arms control regime.

Russian officials say Russia’s planned move to withdraw ratification does not mean the country will resume testing, and we urge Moscow to adhere to these statements, Blinken said.

Putin noted that some experts argue for the need to conduct nuclear tests, but said he had not formed an opinion on the matter.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said last month that Moscow will continue to respect the ban and resume nuclear tests only if Washington does so first.