Putin criticised as he withdraws Russia’s ratification of nuclear test ban treaty

US says move will undermine confidence in international arms control, amid concerns Moscow’s nuclear threats are designed to deter Ukraine’s allies

Vladimir Putin has signed into law Russia withdrawing its ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, a step condemned by the US and the organisation that promotes adherence to the landmark arms control pact.

The move, though expected, is evidence of the deep chill between the United States and Russia over the war in Ukraine, whose ties are at their lowest level since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and what Moscow casts as Washington’s attempts to stymie the emergence of a new multipolar world order.