Russia's Potential Reversal of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Raises Concerns
The United States expressed concern over Russia's plan to reverse its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which banned the testing of nuclear weapons. Russia's move is seen as an attempt to be on equal footing with the US, which signed but did not ratify the treaty. The US State Department criticized Russia for endangering the global norm against nuclear testing and accused Moscow of using arms control and nuclear rhetoric to pressure countries supporting Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Russia might reassess its ratification of the treaty, but it is unclear if this would lead to the resumption of nuclear tests. The UN Secretary-General called on all nuclear weapon states to reaffirm their commitment to the CTBT.