The Russian State Duma, in its initial voting phase, has unanimously approved a bill to rescind Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
The final decision is expected later this week, following a recent warning from President Vladimir Putin indicating a potential shift in Russia’s stance. This move comes in response to the United States’ position, which has signed but not yet ratified the nuclear test ban.
The CTBT, established in 1996, aims to prohibit all nuclear explosions worldwide, though it has not been fully enforced.
Amid growing concerns that Russia might resume nuclear tests, potentially in response to Western military support for Ukraine, Russian officials have begun debating the merits of such a course of action.
Despite the discussion among experts, President Putin has not yet formulated a definitive opinion on the matter.
Additionally, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov emphasized that any decision to resume nuclear testing would hinge on the actions of the United States.
