MOSCOW: Russian lawmakers are set to review the ratification of the global nuclear test ban, as announced by the parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on Friday.
The decision comes in the wake of a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating that Moscow might consider rescinding its ratification of the international pact prohibiting nuclear tests, given the United States’ non-ratification.
The concern looms large that Russia could contemplate resuming nuclear tests, possibly as a deterrent to the West from extending military support to Ukraine. Numerous Russian hawks have advocated for the resumption of these tests. Volodin reiterated Moscow’s stance that Western military support for Ukraine essentially implies the U.S. and its allies’ involvement in the ongoing conflict.
“Washington and Brussels have declared war against our nation,” stated Volodin. “The current challenges necessitate new decisions.”
He further said that senior lawmakers will deliberate on recalling the 2000 ratification of the nuclear test ban during the next meeting of the agenda-setting house council.
“It aligns with our national interests,” Volodin remarked. “And it will serve as a reciprocal response to the United States, which has yet to ratify the treaty.”
Putin, speaking at a forum with foreign affairs experts, highlighted that the United States has signed but not ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, while Russia has both signed and ratified it. He argued that Russia could act likewise.
“Theoretically, we may revoke the ratification,” he conveyed. “It’s up to the State Duma members.”
In relation to the potential need for conducting nuclear tests, Putin mentioned that he hasn’t formed a firm opinion on the matter yet.
“I’m not ready to say yet whether it’s necessary for us to conduct tests or not,” he stated.
Russia’s defense doctrine
Russia’s defense doctrine outlines a nuclear response to an atomic strike or even an attack with conventional weapons that “threatens the very existence of the Russian state.” The vague language in the doctrine has prompted some Russian hawks to urge the Kremlin to refine it, aiming to compel the West to take the warnings more seriously.
In response to a question from an expert proposing a revision of the nuclear doctrine to lower the threshold of nuclear weapons use to pressure the West to cease backing Ukraine, Putin indicated that he sees no need to alter the document.
“There is no situation in which anything would threaten Russian statehood and the existence of the Russian state,” he remarked. I think that no person of sober mind and clear memory could have an idea to use nuclear weapons against Russia.
Additionally, Putin revealed that Russia has effectively completed the development of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile and will now focus on putting them into production.
