We received with serious concern the information about Russia's withdrawal from ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The decision was made following months of irresponsible rhetoric and nuclear threats, during the ongoing illegal aggression against Ukraine. This unjustified and unprecedented step constitutes a further weakening of the international security architecture. It is part of Moscow's deliberate, calculated strategy of successively undermining collective efforts towards non-proliferation and disarmament.

As a State Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Russia has commited to work towards the early entry into force of the CTBT, in accordance with the prinviple of irreversibility of arms control measures. Moscow's decision constitutes a serious violation of these obligations, all the more significant since Russia is a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.

The CTBT is a key instrument for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is the guardian of standards prohibiting nuclear tests. Poland ratified the CTBT in 1999 and has been working on its strengthening and entry into force for many years. Ratified by 178 countries, the CTBT did not enter into force due to the lack of ratification by eight countries from the basic list of 44 countries listed in Annex 2 to the Treaty

 

MFA Press Office