Putin Withdraws Russia's Ratification of Global Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Signaling Shift in Nuclear Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law withdrawing Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a move condemned by the treaty organization. Moscow claims the decision is to align with the United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty. Russia states that it will not resume nuclear testing unless the US does, but Western experts express concerns that Russia may be moving towards a nuclear test amid the Ukraine conflict. The CTBT organization called Russia's decision "deeply regrettable," as the treaty aims to prevent nuclear tests through a global network of observation posts.