WASHINGTON, October 9. /TASS/. The US authorities slow down the enactment of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, while also continuing to maintain its military nuclear infrastructure, Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said, commenting on Russia’s criticism to the US Department of State position on Treaty.
"This is yet another display of Washington’s policy, based on the principle of ‘what is allowed to the US is not allowed to other countries.’ The US is the last state to lecture others regarding the threats to the Treaty’s and the global nuclear test ban regime," Antonov said, according to the Russian Embassy’s Telegram channel.
"For over 25 years, Washington has been slowing down the enactment of the Treaty, refusing to ratify it. While declaring its adherence to the moratorium on nuclear tests in words, the Administration continues to maintain its military nuclear infrastructure, including the test site in Nevada, in full operational readiness," the envoy added.
According to the envoy, Washington does not reject the "option of full-scale tests, first and foremost in the context of a wide-scale upgrade of its strategic arsenal and development of new types of nuclear munitions."
"Russia ratified the treaty back in 2000. We and the vast majority of the international community have been waiting for over a quarter of a century that the US will follow our example and present themselves as a responsible nuclear power. The expectations were futile. Washington’s inaction forces us to make steps for restoration of equilibrium within the Treaty’s framework. A violation of the global strategic parity is unacceptable," Antonov concluded.
Russian Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said on his Telegram channel that Russia plans to withdraw its ratification of the Treaty "to be on equal footing with the US, who signed the Treaty but did not ratify it." He specified that the "withdrawal does not mean an intent to resume nuclear tests." Russian President Vladimir Putin floated an option to withdraw the ratification of this document during the meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club meeting on October 5.