Revocation of Moscow’s Ratification of the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty under Discussion in Russia

Oct. 7, 2023, (EIRNS)—Russia President Vladimir Putin’s comment at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on Oct. 5 that Russia could revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) apparently has set off a lot of discussion inside Russia. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters yesterday that revocation would not necessarily mean that Russia would then resume nuclear testing. “This is not tantamount to a declaration of the intention to conduct nuclear tests,” he said, reported TASS. Peskov explained that Putin was primarily referring to the need for bringing the de facto situation to a common denominator, that is, that Russia has ratified the treaty but the U.S. never did.

Peskov was responding to comments made by Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who had said earlier that revoking the CTBT will be put on the Duma’s agenda

. “At the next meeting of the State Duma Council, we will definitely discuss the issue of revoking the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. This correlates with the national interests of our country. And it will be a reciprocal response to the U.S. which has not yet ratified the treaty,”

Volodin said. “This is about revoking the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. The global situation has changed. Washington and Brussels unleashed a war against our country. Contemporary challenges demand new solutions.”

Volodin also noted that the successful testing of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and completing work on the heavy Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) are important for national security.

Robert Floyd, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, said it would be “deeply unfortunate” if Russia revoked its ratification of the CTBT because it plays an important role in the organization. “Russia plays an important role in the work of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, hosting the second largest segment of International Monitoring System (IMS) stations (32 stations),” Floyd said in a statement, adding that the IMS will be completed this year, “thanks to the dedicated work of Russian officials.” He called it “concerning and deeply unfortunate” if any state signatory were to reconsider its ratification.