Russian lawmakers pave way for withdrawal from Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian lawmakers on Tuesday took the initial step of withdrawing from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The Russian lower chamber of the parliament, the State Duma, voted for the withdrawal of the agreement's ratification at a plenary session in Moscow.

All 412 deputies present at the meeting voted for the withdrawal, and there were no abstentions and no against votes.

The document, submitted to the State Duma on Oct. 13, repeals Article 1 of the law, On Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, cancelling the ratification.

The name of federal law is also being changed to: On the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

In a separate statement, head of the State Duma Vyacheslav Voloding expressed certainty that the bill will be passed.

"For 23 years we have been waiting for the US to ratify this treaty (CTBT). But Washington, because of its double standards and irresponsible attitude to global security issues, did not do this. In the interests of ensuring the security of our country, we are withdrawing the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty," Volodin wrote on Telegram.

To come into effect, the bill has to be approved by both chambers of the Russian parliament in three readings and signed by the president.