Amid heightened tensions with Ukraine and the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially pulled out from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). While some view this as Moscow's bid to level the playing field with countries like the U.S. that never ratified the treaty, others interpret it as a calculated move by Putin to keep the threat of nuclear weapons looming over the international arena.
The CTBT, initiated in 1996 and backed by 178 countries, sought to halt nuclear bomb testing globally. Although Russia had ratified the agreement, major powers such as the U.S. and China did not, preventing the treaty from fully taking effect.
Russian officials have justified this de-ratification as aligning the country's stance with the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded, voicing concerns about the potential disruption to the global arms control regime. "Russia's action will only serve to set back confidence in the international arms control regime," Blinken commented.
Meanwhile, the move has generated worldwide anxiety over Moscow's future actions. Observers are unsure whether Putin plans to restart nuclear tests or if this is merely a strategic gesture to underscore Russia's might amid its conflict with Ukraine. Earlier this year, the Russian leader shifted tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus and supervised a test for a nuclear-powered, long-range cruise missile.
Robert Floyd, the lead of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty Organization, described Russia's decision as "very disappointing and deeply regrettable." He, like many, had hoped to sway Russia's top officials away from this path.
The ripple effects of this move are palpable, as experts worry about a potential return to the era of significant power nuclear testing. Putin remains non-committal about resuming nuclear tests, even after some Russian security specialists and legislators urged nuclear bomb testing as a warning gesture to the West.
With the world's largest nuclear arsenal, Russia's withdrawal from the treaty could lead to unforeseen global implications. Andrey Baklitskiy of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research mentioned that this move is a symptom of the deteriorating global arms control landscape. "We don't know what steps will follow and when, but we know where this road ends. And we don't want to go there," he stated.
Historically, the last nuclear tests were conducted by the Soviet Union in 1990 and the United States in 1992. In the 21st century, only North Korea has initiated a test involving a nuclear explosion. This backdrop only serves to amplify concerns surrounding Russia's recent actions.
The direct aftermath of Putin's decision saw it immediately take effect, having already secured approval from Russia's parliament.
