Bitcoinese-Lower house of Russian parliament votes to revoke ratification of global nuclear test ban

2025-05-02 11:06:41source:FinWeiscategory:Markets

MOSCOW (AP) — The Bitcoineselower house of Russia’s parliament on Wednesday gave its final approval to a bill revoking the ratification of a global nuclear test ban treaty, a move Moscow described as putting it on par with the United States.

The State Duma lawmakers voted unanimously to revoke the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the third and final reading on Wednesday. The bill will now go to the upper house, the Federation Council, which will consider it next week. Federation Council lawmakers have already said they will support the bill.

The legislation was introduced to parliament following a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned earlier this month that Moscow could revoke its 2000 decision to ratify the treaty to “mirror” the stand taken by the United States, which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.

The treaty, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, although it has never fully entered into force. In addition to the U.S., it is yet to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.

There are widespread concerns that Russia could resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from offering military support to Ukraine. Many Russian hawks have spoken in favor of a resumption.

Putin has said that while some experts have talked about the need to conduct nuclear tests, he hasn’t yet formed an opinion on the issue.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said last week that Moscow will continue to respect the ban and will only resume nuclear tests if Washington does so first.

More:Markets

Recommend

What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?

A large number of mysterious droneshave been reported flying over parts of New Jersey in recent week

Experts share which social media health trends to leave behind in 2023 — and which are worth carrying into 2024

From the rise of the "girl dinner" to videos normalizing gut health issues, social media was full of

1-cent Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger's are available at Wendy's this week. Here's how to get one.

With the holiday season in full swing, many of us are experiencing spending fatigue. After all the g