???? Comment by Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov to «Zvezda» (with English subtitles)

?How has the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization responded to the possible resumption of nuclear testing by the United States? Perhaps you’ve discussed this informally with colleagues, what are their opinions?

?? Just yesterday, I met with the chief international bureaucrat for nuclear test bans, Executive Secretary of the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Robert Floyd, and asked him this question. He shrugged, saying he'd tried several times to get a clear answer from the Americans, but they weren't saying anything concrete

?? The same is true in our case - conversations with our American colleagues are yielding no results. In principle, this may be the right thing to do, because diplomats are trying to avoid further discord in the international community, don't want to misinform, and don't have instructions, so they don't know what to say

?? From Washington's perspective, the situation is completely abnormal, we're talking about a fundamental issue of international security. They've created a stir and have remained silent for two weeks now. Despite the fact that this intrigue is the focus of attention in the media and the international community, it seems rather unseemly

?? The plenary session of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission begins on Monday. Many delegations will undoubtedly speak out on this issue, express their opinions on American actions, and call on them to pursue a more responsible policy, in any case, we will do so

?Robert Floyd and his colleagues, both you and we, have misunderstood, but President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin emphasized the day before that our country remains committed to the Treaty's provisions, which directly obligate signatories, including the United States, not to conduct nuclear explosions - and not just weapons. Hypothetically, if we assume the United States violates the Treaty, are there any sanctions for this?

?? The Treaty contains provisions for sanctions and restrictions on rights and privileges in the event of violations. But all this will enter into force once the Treaty enters into force. It's currently in a preliminary state, signed by many countries and ratified, but not yet in force. Accordingly, these provisions are unlikely to be enforced, including sanctions

?? Furthermore, the United States hasn't ratified the treaty, so I honestly can't imagine them being subjected to any kind of ostracism. It's unlikely, but Americans hear a lot of criticism, and, I repeat, such serious matters should never be trifled with

?? At first, it seemed there might be a misunderstanding, because in his first publication on October 29, President of the USA Donald Trump made a number of factual errors, confusing the Department of Energy's area of responsibility with the Pentagon's, and so on. There was an opportunity to backtrack and somehow let it slide, but the American President is moving forward later and making the situation worse, still not clarifying what he's talking about. The arguments he's making can't be taken seriously, they're very far from reality