Russian Duma Takes First Step to Revoke Ratification of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Members of Russia's State Duma lower house of parliament attend a plenary session in Moscow on Oct. 17, 2023. Russian State Duma/Handout via Reuters

MOSCOW—Russia’s parliament took the first step on Tuesday towards revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and its top lawmaker warned the United States that Moscow might even abandon the pact altogether.

Russia says the aim is to restore parity with the United States, which has signed but never ratified the 1996 treaty, and that it will not resume testing unless Washington does.