Putin revokes Russia’s ratification of global nuclear test ban treaty, a week after overseeing a ballistic missile drill
- The 1996 treaty outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons, but it never came into force because some countries never ratified it
- Putin recently oversaw ballistic missile drills in what the defence ministry called practice for a ‘massive’ retaliatory nuclear strike against an unnamed enemy
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a law revoking Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
The 1996 treaty outlaws all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons, though it never came into force because some key countries – including the United States and China – never ratified it.
Putin has said that rescinding the ratification of the treaty, would “mirror” the stand taken by the US.
The West has accused Russia of using reckless nuclear rhetoric since it launched its offensive on Ukraine last February.
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Russia launches missile drills to test its ability to deliver ‘massive’ retaliatory nuclear strike
Putin last week oversaw ballistic missile drills in what Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said was practice for a “massive” retaliatory nuclear strike against an unnamed enemy.
Russia says that it will not resume testing unless Washington does and that its de-ratification does not change its nuclear posture or the way it shares information about its nuclear activities.