Current:Home > Contact-usRussia will only resume nuclear tests if the US does it first, a top Russian diplomat says-LoTradeCoin
Russia will only resume nuclear tests if the US does it first, a top Russian diplomat says
View Date:2024-12-23 19:13:58
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia will move to revoke the ratification of a global nuclear test ban to put itself on par with the United States but will only resume nuclear tests if Washington does it first, a senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that Moscow will rescind the ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty to “mirror” the action by the U.S. He added that if the U.S. conducts a nuclear test, “we will be forced to mirror that as well.”
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, adopted in 1996 and known as the CTBT, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, although it has never fully entered into force. It was signed by both the Russian and U.S. presidents but was never ratified by the U.S.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could consider rescinding its 2000 decision to ratify the bill. Putin noted that while some experts have talked about the need to conduct nuclear tests, he hasn’t yet formed an opinion on the issue.
There are widespread concerns that Russia could move to resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine. Many Russian hawks have spoken in favor of resumption.
The speaker of the Russian parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, has said that lawmakers will move to rescind ratification of the nuclear test ban. The chamber’s agenda-setting council on Monday gave the foreign affairs committee 10 days to prepare the issue for the house to consider.
Ryabkov charged that the U.S. “believed that we will keep turning a blind eye” to its failure to ratify the pact, adding that “we hope that Washington will get the signal.”
He pointed out at Putin’s earlier order to make the country’s nuclear testing range ready for resuming tests, emphasizing that “the resumption of tests is possible if the U.S. conducts a test.”
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election
- Neighbor's shifting alibis lead to arrest in Mass. woman's disappearance, police say
- Inside Alix Earle's Winning Romance With NFL Player Braxton Berrios
- Hunter Woodhall wins Paralympic sprint title to join his wife as a gold medalist
- Kirk Herbstreit berates LSU fans throwing trash vs Alabama: 'Enough is enough, clowns'
- Bama Rush, step aside! 3-year-old star of 'Toddler Rush' combines cuteness and couture
- The Best Target Products To Help Disguise Scuffs, Wires & All Your Least Favorite Parts of Your Home
- Former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory dead after car crash in New Mexico
- Taylor Swift's Dad Scott Swift Photobombs Couples Pic With Travis Kelce
- Charles Barkley keeps $1 million promise to New Orleans school after 2 students' feat
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
- Georgia school shooting highlights fears about classroom cellphone bans
- NFL schedule today: Everything to know about Week 1 games on Sunday
- Unstoppable Director Details Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez's Dynamic on Their New Movie
- Jamie Lee Curtis and Don Lemon quit X, formerly Twitter: 'Time for me to leave'
- Hope for North America’s Most Endangered Bird
- 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards: Dates, nominees, where to watch and stream
- Colorado vs. Nebraska score: Highlights from Cornhuskers football win over Buffaloes today
Recommendation
-
Atmospheric river to bring heavy snow, rain to Northwest this week
-
Jason Kelce's Wife Kylie Kelce Reveals Her NFL Game Day Superstitions
-
Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA
-
Jonathan Owens scores Bears' first TD of the season on blocked punt return
-
ONA Community Introduce
-
Tom Brady's NFL broadcasting career is finally starting. What should fans expect?
-
Her father listened as she was shot in the head at Taco Bell. What he wants you to know.
-
Students are sweating through class without air conditioning. Districts are facing the heat.