Putin formally lifts Russian ban on nuclear weapons testing

Moscow [Russia], November 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday withdrew Russia's ratification of the ban on nuclear weapons testing, potentially paving the way for the practice for the first time in decades.
The move was expected, as Russia officially launched its withdrawal process last month. Russia's revocation was codified in a decree published in Russia's official legislative database on Thursday.
The European Union "deeply deplores" Russia's decision. The EU's top diplomat, JosepBorrell, said in Brussels on Thursday that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an instrument of crucial importance for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
"It is crucial for international peace and security that all states fully observe the moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosion, and refrain from any action contrary to the object and purpose of the treaty," he said.
The US government said it was "deeply concerned" by Russia's move.
"Unfortunately, it represents a significant step in the wrong direction, taking us further from, not closer to, entry into force," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a written statement on Thursday.
"Russia's action will only serve to set back confidence in the international arms control regime." Blinken urged Moscow to stick to its pledge not to resume tests.
At the same time, he lamented the fact that with the new push, Russia was continuing its "disturbing and misguided effort to heighten nuclear risks and raise tensions."
Putin had previously justified the withdrawal from the CTBT by saying that Russia must have the same options as the other major nuclear power, the United States.
Unlike Russia, the US never ratified the treaty. Still, the US, like all other countries except North Korea, has complied with the test ban since the 1990s.
The treaty itself was adopted in 1996 to curb the further development of nuclear weapons.
The CTBT organization in Vienna operates a global network of measuring stations that can detect nuclear tests by means of pressure waves and chemical and nuclear traces.
Russia wants to continue supplying data from its own 32 stations.
Russia will only test nuclear weapons again when and if the US does the same, Moscow said.
Source: Qatar Tribune