Iran Press/ Europe: State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stated that withdrawing ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) will serve the interests of ensuring Russia's security,
The first reading of the bill on withdrawal from the CTBT ratification by the deputies of the State Duma will take place at the plenary session of the lower house of Russia’s parliament on Tuesday.
"For 23 years we have been waiting for the US to ratify this treaty [CTBT]. But Washington has failed to do so because of its double standards and irresponsible attitude to global security issues. In the interests of our country's security, we withdraw the ratification of the CTBT," Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel.
The lawmaker opined that this decision to withdraw ratification of the treaty would help Washington realize that "hegemony on its part does not lead to anything good."
"Dialogue is necessary on the principles of mutual respect, absence of double standards, non-interference in the affairs of sovereign states," Volodin said, concluding that Russia, for its part, will do everything to protect its citizens and ensure that global strategic parity is preserved. 219
