Statement by the Tánaiste on the Russian Federation and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is an integral part of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. Ireland condemns the move by the Russian Federation to sign into its national law the revocation of its ratification of the Treaty.

The CTBT, adopted in 1996, has 187 signatories and 178 ratifying States, highlighting the strong global support for the Treaty.

While yet to enter into force, it has been crucial in establishing and upholding the international norm against nuclear testing. By prohibiting all nuclear testing, the CTBT inhibits States from developing new nuclear weapons. It is therefore an important step to a world without nuclear weapons and their devastating consequences for all of humanity.

The Russian Federation’s intention to revoke its ratification of the Treaty is a deeply disturbing development.

This runs counter to Russia’s assertions at the UN Security Council high level briefing on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Treaty in 2021, convened by Ireland, that “for the vast majority of countries, including Russia, the CTBT has become an integral part of international security and stability.” We also recall President Putin’s remarks on the CTBT’s 25th anniversary that “The drafting of this historic document, aimed at a dramatic strengthening of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, has confirmed that even the most difficult global security issues can and must be solved through talks.”

Ireland calls on the Russian Federation to urgently reverse this course of action and, in the meantime, to continue to respect the purpose and the objective of the Treaty, and uphold the moratorium on nuclear weapons testing.

I take this opportunity to call on all states to renew our collective efforts to pursue the entry into force and universalisation of this key Treaty.