Russia’s upper house approves withdrawal from Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia’s upper house of parliament on Wednesday approved the country’s withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), more than a week after the country’s lower house held a similar vote.

“Amendments to the Federal Law ‘On the Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty’ were approved. The decision was made in order to restore parity of obligations in the field of nuclear arms control,” said a statement by the Russian Federation Council.

The statement said that the question was presented by First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Sergey Kislyak, who was quoted as saying that the CTBT is an important instrument in the field of arms control and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

“This is exactly how our country has treated and continues to treat it over the years, seeking the accession of all states to it,” Kislyak said.

Kislyak, however, drew attention to the CTBT not having entered into force, due to eight states, including the US, not having ratified the treaty.

“Russia remains a state that signed the treaty with all the ensuing rights and obligations. The cancellation of ratification does not weaken the constructive approach to the CTBT, but restores the parity of obligations in relations with the US in the field of nuclear arms control,” he added.

On Oct. 17, the Russian lower house of the parliament, the State Duma, voted for the withdrawal from CTBT.

The CTBT is an international treaty envisioning the banning of nuclear weapons tests and any other nuclear explosions. The treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Sept. 10, 1996 and has since been signed by 186 countries and ratified by 177.

However, the treaty has not entered into force, with China, Iran, Egypt, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, and the US having not signed or ratified it.