Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a bill withdrawing Moscow's ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, news agencies reported.
The Polish foreign ministry said in a statement that it "received with serious concern the information about Russia's withdrawal from ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)."
The foreign ministry in Warsaw added that "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," the statement also said. "It is part of Moscow's deliberate, calculated strategy of successively undermining collective efforts towards non-proliferation and disarmament."
The CTBT is a key instrument for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, according to the Polish foreign ministry.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday expressed deep concern about Russia's move, the Reuters news agency reported.
Blinken said that Russia’s decision to withdraw its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty "represents a significant step in the wrong direction."
"Russia’s action will only serve to set back confidence in the international arms control regime," Blinken said in a statement released by the US State Department.
He added that the move testified to "Moscow’s disturbing and misguided effort to heighten nuclear risks and raise tensions as it pursues its illegal war against Ukraine."
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Thursday is day 617 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, gov.pl, state.gov