Putin withdraws Russia’s formal agreement to the nuclear test ban treaty.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has nullified his nation’s endorsement of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), asserting that this action is intended to align Moscow’s position with that of the United States. This decision to abandon the historic agreement, which prohibited nuclear weapons tests, was officially confirmed on Thursday, following unanimous approval by Russia’s Federation Council in the previous week

The State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, expedited the bill’s passage. Following President Putin’s signature, the legislation took effect on Thursday.

The 1996 treaty prohibited all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons, though it lacked effectiveness due to the non-ratification by some crucial countries.

On October 6, Moscow declared its intention to withdraw from the treaty, mirroring the United States’ position, which had signed but not ratified the treaty.

It remains uncertain whether Russia’s withdrawal will lead to a resumption of nuclear weapons testing. Putin expressed on October 5, “I hear calls to begin nuclear weapons testing. I am not ready to say whether we truly need to conduct tests or not.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated earlier this month that Moscow would continue to honor the ban and would only resume nuclear tests if the United States does so.

“As our president said, we must be on alert, and if the United States moves towards the start of nuclear tests, we will have to respond here in the same way,” the official said.

Shortly after the approval by the upper house, Russia’s military executed an extensive nuclear strike drill. This comprehensive exercise, directed by Putin, encompassed test missile launches from a land-based silo, a nuclear submarine, and a long-range bomber aircraft.

Russia halted the treaty in February, and it is set to expire in early 2026.