Russia's Duma Unanimously Rejects Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Amid Rising Tension

In the wake of escalating tensions with the West, Russia's parliament has acted expeditiously to fulfil President Vladimir Putin's directive to amend Moscow's legal position on nuclear testing. The State Duma, Russia's lower house, passed the second and third readings of a bill that nullifies Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) unanimously, by 415 votes to zero.

This parliamentary action follows Putin's insistence on October 5 that Russia must modify its stance to align with that of the US, which despite having signed the treaty in 1996, has yet to ratify it. Parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin noted Russia's commitment to its citizens' protection and laid blame for the current global situation squarely on the US.

Despite this stance, Russia has claimed that it will not restart nuclear testing unless the US does, contributing to significant international concern that Russia is inching towards a nuclear escalation simultaneously with its ongoing involvement in the Ukraine conflict. There are fears that either Russia or the US resuming testing could incite the other to follow suit, potentially provoking a global arms race.

While revoking its ratification of the CTBT, Russia has maintained that it will remain a signatory to the treaty and will continue providing data to the global monitoring system, which alerts the world to nuclear testing activities. However, Volodin has hinted that Russia might withdraw altogether, leaving Washington uncertain about its future intentions.

These developments arrive on the back of Russia's 2023 suspension of New START, its final bilateral nuclear treaty with the US. Experts suggest these actions could be Putin's strategy to sow discord and uncertainty among the countries supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia's illegal invasion.

Despite the international concern and criticism, options for the US to formally rebuke Russia are limited since it has yet to ratify the treaty itself. Yet, these developments have drawn attention to the importance of maintaining treaties such as the CTBT, deemed crucial in ensuring nuclear testing activities do not resume.