In a move that has raised eyebrows internationally, the Federation Council, Russia's upper chamber of parliament, has unanimously voted to withdraw the country's ratification of the global nuclear test ban treaty.
According to Reuters, The law was approved with 156 votes in favor and zero against.
The legislation now awaits President Vladimir Putin's signature to become official.
This decision comes on the heels of a similar move last week, when the Russian Duma, the lower house of parliament, also passed a law to revoke Russia's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The CTBT is a global treaty that aims to ban all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. Russia's withdrawal from the treaty has sparked concerns among international observers about the future of global nuclear disarmament efforts.
The unanimous vote by the Federation Council further solidifies Russia's stance on distancing itself from international nuclear agreements. The law's approval marks the final legislative hurdle before it is sent to President Putin for his signature, making the withdrawal official.
While the reasons for Russia's withdrawal have not been explicitly stated, the move is likely to have significant implications for international security and arms control. The CTBT, which has yet to enter into force, has been signed by 185 countries and ratified by 170. Russia's departure from the treaty could potentially encourage other nations to reconsider their own commitments, thereby undermining global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.
The unanimous decision by both chambers of the Russian parliament to withdraw from the CTBT signals a significant shift in the country's foreign policy, and it remains to be seen how this will impact Russia's relations with other signatory nations. With the legislation now awaiting President Putin's signature, the international community watches closely, anxious about the potential ramifications of this development.
