The State Duma in the first reading approved Russia's withdrawal from the nuclear test ban treaty

State Duma deputies in the first reading approved a bill on Russia's withdrawal of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). This was reported on the website of the lower house of parliament.

“For 23 years we have been waiting for the United States to ratify this treaty (CTBT). But Washington, due to its double standards and irresponsible attitude towards global security issues, did not do this. <...> Washington must finally understand that hegemony on their part does not lead to anything good,” State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin commented on this decision in his Telegram channel.

The bill is scheduled to be considered in the second and third readings on October 18 and 19, respectively. On October 5, speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s possible withdrawal from the CTBT. At the time, he reported that Russia had conducted its latest successful test of the nuclear-powered global-range cruise missile Burevestnik, and said that Russia “theoretically could” deratify the treaty.

The very next day after Putin’s speech, Volodin announced that a corresponding bill had been submitted to the State Duma.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1996. To enter into force, the document had to be ratified by 44 countries. Russia did it, the USA and China did not.

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