U.S. 'Concerned' By Russia's Planned Withdrawal From Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Calls it 'Significant Step In Wrong Direction'

Washington D.C./03.11.23/Turan:  The United States is 'deeply concerned' by Russia’s planned action to withdraw its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"Unfortunately, it represents a significant step in the wrong direction, taking us further from, not closer to, entry into force,"  Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

"Russia’s action will only serve to set back confidence in the international arms control regime", Blinken added.

Russia ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 2000 but Vladimir Putin this week raised the issue of the need to revoke ratification.

Moscow officials say Russia’s planned move to withdraw its ratification does not mean that it will resume testing, "and we urge Moscow to hold to those statements," as Blinken put it.

Washington "will continue to emphasize" the irresponsibility of Russia’s recent rhetoric regarding nuclear weapon explosive testing and the treaty. This continues Moscow’s disturbing and misguided effort to heighten nuclear risks and raise tensions as it pursues its illegal war against Ukraine.

"The United States remains committed to achieving the entry into force of the CTBT, and we reiterate our commitment to our zero-yield nuclear explosive testing moratorium, which has been in place for 30 years. It is essential that we preserve the global norm against nuclear explosive testing," Blinken concluded.

Alex Raufoglu