Putin withdraws Russia from nuclear test ban treaty.
Putin Signs Law Withdrawing Russia’s Ratification of Nuclear Weapons Test Ban Treaty
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a law withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, a step condemned by the organization which promotes adherence to the landmark arms control pact.
The move, though expected, is evidence of the deep chill between the United States and Russia, whose ties are at their lowest level since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis over the war in Ukraine and what Moscow casts as Washington’s attempts to stymie the emergence of a new multipolar world order.
Washington expressed deep concern about Russia’s decision and it was a step in the wrong direction.
“Russia’s action will only serve to set back confidence in the international arms control regime,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Moscow says its deratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is merely designed to bring Russia into line with the United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty. Russia will not resume nuclear testing unless Washington does, say Russian diplomats.
Nor, they say, will the move change the nuclear posture of Russia, which has the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, or the way it shares information about its nuclear activities as Moscow will remain a treaty signatory.
But some Western arms control experts are concerned that Russia may be inching toward a nuclear test to intimidate and evoke fear amid the Ukraine war.
Putin said on Oct. 5 that he was not ready to say whether or not Russia should resume nuclear testing after calls from some Russian security experts and lawmakers to test a nuclear bomb as a warning to the West.
Such a move, if it did happen, could usher in a new era of big power nuclear testing.
Robert Floyd, head of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty Organization, 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 known as Twitter.
The treaty established a global network of observation posts that can detect the sound, shockwaves, or radioactive fallout from a nuclear explosion.
Post-Soviet Russia has not carried out a nuclear test. The Soviet Union last tested in 1990 and the United States in 1992. No country except North Korea has conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion this century.
Andrey Baklitskiy, senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, has said Russia’s deratification of the CTBT is part of a “slippery slope” toward resuming testing.
It is part of a disturbing trend in recent years that has seen arms control pacts scrapped or suspended, he said last month on X.
“We don’t know what steps will follow and when, but we know where this road ends. And we don’t want to go there,” he said.
Putin’s approval of the deratification law was posted on a government website which said the decision took immediate effect. Russia’s parliament has already approved the step.
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Gareth Jones, and Grant McCool)
How might Russia’s decision to withdraw from the CTBT affect the already fragile security situation worldwide, particularly in light of current geopolitical tensions
Reful reflection and consideration. However, his signing of the law withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the CTBT raises questions and concerns about Russia’s intentions regarding nuclear weapons testing.
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted by the United Nations in 1996 and has been ratified by 185 countries, including Russia. Its objective is to prohibit all nuclear explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes. The treaty aims to prevent the development of new nuclear weapons and curb the arms race.
By withdrawing its ratification, Russia is sending a message to the international community that it is willing to disregard the commitments made under this important treaty. This move is particularly troubling given the current geopolitical tensions between Russia and the United States.
The United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty, has also faced criticism for its lack of commitment to nuclear disarmament. However, Russia’s decision to follow suit and withdraw from the CTBT undermines the global efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.
The Russian government argues that its deratification is aimed at aligning its position with that of the United States. They claim that they will not resume nuclear testing unless the United States does so first. However, this argument does little to ease concerns about Russia’s true intentions.
The timing of this decision is also worrisome. As the war in Ukraine continues, some experts fear that Russia may be contemplating a nuclear test as a show of force and intimidation. This would not only escalate the conflict but also increase tensions globally.
Furthermore, the withdrawal from the CTBT raises questions about Russia’s commitment to transparency and accountability regarding its nuclear activities. While Moscow maintains that it will continue to share information as a treaty signatory, the decision to withdraw its ratification undermines confidence in its adherence to international arms control agreements.
The international community, particularly the United States, has expressed deep concern about Russia’s decision. Secretary of State Antony Blinken labeled it a step in the wrong direction, highlighting the damage it can cause to the international arms control regime.
It is crucial for Russia to reconsider its actions and recommit to the principles of the CTBT. As one of the world’s leading nuclear powers, Russia has a responsibility to prioritize global security and stability. Resuming nuclear testing or disregarding international agreements can only worsen the already fragile security situation worldwide.
In an era where nuclear weapons remain a significant threat to humanity, it is essential for the major powers to lead by example and reaffirm their commitment to disarmament and non-proliferation. Russia’s withdrawal from the CTBT goes against this objective and risks undermining the progress made in the field of nuclear arms control.
The international community must use diplomatic channels to engage with Russia and urge them to reverse this decision. It is in the interest of global security that all nations work together towards a world free of nuclear weapons, and Russia’s ratification of the CTBT is a vital step in achieving this goal.
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