INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
and media figures have called for the country to carry out nuclear tests, and even launch strikes against European cities, since the start
Putin acknowledged these calls in his speech at the Valdai Club this month
But his refusal to say whether there was any need to conduct new tests fueled concerns that Russia could use the threat of nuclear
escalation to discourage Western support of Ukraine.The decision has drawn international criticism, with the chair of the organization
they also cautioned that it does not mean an immediate return to a nuclear arms race.What does the CTBT do?The multilateral treaty aims to
outlaw all kinds of nuclear explosions
that detect the seismic tremors, sound waves, and radioactive particles and gases they release
It also sets out the procedures for on-site inspections to assess suspected treaty violations.Despite 187 countries signing the treaty since
1996, it has not come into force
ratified the treaty in 2000
However, eight nuclear-capable countries, including China and the United States, have not
United States to ratify this Treaty
But Washington did not do it because of its double standards, irresponsible attitude to global security issues," said State Duma Speaker
Vyacheslav Volodin.Applying pressure on the U.S
on the number of nuclear weapons each country could have by 30%
Moscow claimed the treaty gave Washington an unfair advantage, as part of its pattern of blaming the West for increasing global
instability.Does Russia withdrawing its ratification mean we are in a new nuclear arms race?Deratifying the treaty does not necessarily mean
that Russia will resume nuclear testing
of Mass Destruction Program, told The Moscow Times.Russia remains a signatory to the CTBT as well as the Vienna Convention on the Law of
bill says Russia will continue to abide by its obligations under the CTBT, including collecting data for the IMS
What does this mean for nuclear non-proliferation and the war in Ukraine?The CTBT will likely never come into force
Washington and Beijing cooperate with the CTBTO, but neither has indicated they will ratify the treaty
Ratification from North Korea, India and Pakistan is also essential for the treaty to function, but none of these states are even
signatories.Despite this, it has helped establish a global norm in which nuclear testing is unacceptable
The only country to have carried out nuclear tests in the 21st century is North Korea
powers that if they resume testing, so will their rivals
These tests are done to make sure weapons are still working without requiring an explosion.Even if no new nuclear tests are imminent, Povdig
But while a risk of inadvertent escalation exists, analysts believe Moscow could be just as worried about the impact of a nuclear war as the
