Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a law that formalizes Russia’s withdrawal from its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

According to Burkina Information Agency, The CTBT, signed on Russia’s behalf in New York on September 24, 1996, and ratified by Russia on May 27, 2000, was intended to serve as a key international legal instrument to cease all varieties of nuclear testing. Despite these efforts, the treaty has yet to take effect, hindered by the absence of ratification from eight of the 44 states that hold nuclear weapons or have the capability to produce them.

According to the legislative text, the newly adopted law is geared towards re-establishing an equilibrium of responsibilities in the realm of nuclear arms control. The law stipulates that its provisions become effective on the day they are officially published.