Russia Withdraws from Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Simulates Nuclear Strike

Russia's parliament has passed a law withdrawing ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), mirroring the United States' position. The move reflects the strained relations between Russia and the US amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia stated that it will not resume discussing nuclear issues with the US unless Washington drops its "hostile" policy. Experts warn that a nuclear test by either country could trigger a new arms race and more testing by other nations. The fate of the New START treaty, which limits strategic warheads, is also uncertain as Russia suspended it this year, leaving the two countries without a bilateral nuclear weapons agreement.