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Russian diplomat: US unlikely to ratify CTBT before Obama’s tenure expires

"We are convinced that if the United States ratifies the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, it’s going to exert every effort to see it ratified by other countries," the Russian diplomat says

MOSCOW, April 19 /TASS/. Moscow calls on the United States not to wait for a new US administration to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday.

"We understand that the CTBT is unlikely to be submitted for ratification to the US Senate before Barak Obama’s presidential term expires. But it’s not the reason for sitting idle waiting for a new administration to come," Ryabkov told a conference devoted to the 20th anniversary since the CTBT was opened for signing.

"We are convinced that if the United States ratifies the CTBT, it’s going to exert every effort to see it ratified by other countries," the high-ranking diplomat said.

Ryabkov noted considerable progress in monitoring activities under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

"Considerable progress has been made in the inspection activities envisaged by the CTBT. Not a single nuclear explosion will go unnoticed by CTBT [inspectors]," the Russian diplomat said.