Putin revokes Russia’s ratification of global nuclear test ban treaty, a week after overseeing a ballistic missile drill

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a ballistic missile drill. This week, he signed a law that revokes Russia's agreement to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This treaty, established in 1996, prohibits all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons. However, it never came into force because some key countries, including the United States and China, never ratified it. Putin's decision to rescind the ratification mirrors the stance taken by the United States.

The West has accused Russia of using reckless nuclear rhetoric since it launched its offensive on Ukraine last February. Russia has been conducting missile drills to test its ability to deliver a 'massive' retaliatory nuclear strike. Despite this, Russia maintains 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.

Robert Floyd, the head of the organization promoting recognition of the treaty, condemned Russia's decision. He described it as 'very disappointing and deeply regrettable. ' Despite his efforts to lobby senior Russian officials, the bill to revoke the treaty passed through Russia's parliament last month in a fast track process. During parliamentary hearings, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the move to revoke the treaty was a response to the United States' 'cynicism' and 'boorish attitudes' on nuclear weapons. The agreement, though it never entered into force, was ratified by 178 countries, including nuclear powers France and Britain. It has symbolic value as it established an international norm against live tests of nuclear weapons. Critics argue that the potential of the deal remains unrealised without the ratifications of major nuclear powers. Russia's parliament ratified the agreement in June 2000, six months after Putin first became president. Post-Soviet Russia has never carried out a nuclear test. The Soviet Union last tested in 1990 and the United States in 1992.