Moscow - On Friday, Russia's envoy to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) announced Moscow's intention to withdraw its ratification of the pact. This decision drew sharp criticism from Washington, which viewed it as a threat to the global prohibition against nuclear test explosions.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Moscow's representative to the CTBTO, conveyed this development on the social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter). He stated that "Russia plans to revoke ratification (which took place in the year 2000) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty," with the goal of achieving parity with the US, which signed but did not ratify the treaty. Ulyanov emphasized that this move did not indicate an intention to resume nuclear testing.

The CTBT has been signed by 187 countries and ratified by 178, but its enforcement requires the participation of eight specific nations that have not yet signed or ratified it. Among these, China, Egypt, Iran, and Israel have signed but not ratified the treaty, while North Korea, India, and Pakistan have not signed it.

Although the US signed but did not ratify the treaty, it has maintained a moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions since 1992, a commitment it states it has no plans to abandon.

The US State Department expressed deep concern over Ambassador Ulyanov's remarks, describing such actions by any state party as a threat to the global ban on nuclear testing. The spokesperson emphasized that Russia should seek parity with the US through responsible diplomacy rather than resorting to arms control measures and provocative nuclear rhetoric.

The statement from the US suggested that Washington interpreted Russia's move as an attempt to exert pressure on the United States and other nations to cease arms supplies and aid to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russian forces.

Ambassador Ulyanov's announcement came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the possibility of revoking Russia's CTBT ratification.

Robert Floyd, the executive director of the CTBTO, expressed concern over any signatory state reconsidering its ratification of the CTBT. He highlighted Russia's historical support for the treaty and its role in negotiating and ratifying it. Russian withdrawal from the treaty could have significant implications since it is one of the "Annex 2" countries, the group that must collectively ratify the treaty for it to come into effect.

Floyd concluded by expressing hope for continued cooperation with Russia and all states committed to achieving a world free of nuclear testing.