MOSCOW, October 6 Possible revocation of ratification of the Treaty the comprehensive ban on nuclear tests (CTBT) does not automatically mean that Russia will begin testing nuclear weapons, but if necessary, it can resume testing, said the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council, Vladimir Dzhabarov.
During a meeting of the Valdai international discussion club, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that Russia may behave in a mirror manner towards the United States, which has not ratified the document banning nuclear weapons tests; State Duma deputies may revoke ratification.
When asked by the leading TV channel «Vmeste-RF» whether the decision to revoke ratification will lead to treaty for the automatic start of nuclear weapons tests, Dzhabarov replied: “This does not mean that they will begin automatically, but this frees our hands, if there is such a need, we can resume (them.”
Senator expressed confidence that if such an initiative is submitted to the State Duma, parliamentarians will support deratification.
Dzhabarov noted that he cannot yet say what the possible mechanism for deratification of the treaty is. He did not rule out that the president may revoke his signature on the document.
The deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council also believes that Russia's withdrawal of ratification of the CTBT will have a strong effect on Western politicians.
The politician recalled that in accordance with the doctrine, Russia can use nuclear weapons in two cases — as a response to a nuclear threat or a threat to the country's sovereignty. Dzhabarov also believes that “there is no need to use them (nuclear weapons) in Ukraine.”