Russia has no plans to withdraw ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) for now, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. The ministry accused the United States of not entering into force in the 27 years since the agreement was signed. writes about it RBC.
Representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while refusing to ratify the agreement, stated that this is not Russia, but Washington continues to take advantage of the International Monitoring System created within the framework of the CTBT. The ministry stressed that such a “rules-based world order” cannot last forever.
Earlier, Kommersant newspaper reported on the possibility of Russia withdrawing its approval to CTBT. Such a decision, according to the publication, may be due to Moscow’s desire to achieve complete equality and symmetry with Washington in all areas. However, this assumption has not yet been seriously discussed and no official decision has been taken on this issue.
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was opened for signature in 1996. To date, the agreement has not entered into force as it has not been ratified by many countries, including the United States. The treaty bans underground nuclear testing and includes obligations for the state concerned not to conduct nuclear explosions “under its jurisdiction or control.”
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that in the current tense international environment created by Western countries, Russia calls for refrain from provocations and speculation regarding the resumption of nuclear tests. The ministry also accused the United States of starting a nuclear arms race and unproductive actions that did not contribute to nuclear disarmament.
Previously, physicists had calculated where it was best to hide from a nuclear explosion.