According to us media reports, US officials are discussing the possibility of resuming nuclear tests. The main reason: according to Washington, Moscow and Beijing secretly violate the moratorium on conducting such tests. Since in 1996 was adopted the Agreement on a comprehensive test ban Treaty (CTBT), these blasts are performed only by North Korea. And even though the CTBT has not yet entered into force (it does not have the ratification by eight countries, including the United States), except for Korea, all countries claim that adhere to the test moratorium. Whether the US has reason to suspect Russia of violating the agreement, the correspondent of “Kommersant” Elena Chernenko said the head of the Russian delegation at the CTBT negotiations, former Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs Grigory Berdennikov.— Does the US have a reason to suspect Russia of trying to circumvent the moratorium?— If you stick to the approach highly likely (“very likely.”— “B”), then you can come up with anything. On the CTBT, “each state party undertakes not to produce any test explosion of nuclear weapons and any other nuclear explosion, and to prohibit and prevent any such nuclear explosion at any place under its jurisdiction or control”. At negotiations agreement this provision took more than three years.Despite the fact that the CTBT has not yet entered into force, has almost created an international monitoring mechanism. It includes seismic, radionuclide, hydroacoustic and infrasound stations certified laboratories with appropriate means of communication, as well as the international center analysis obtained from such stations and laboratories data. In addition, the Treaty provides for a system of inspection in place. If one of the parties is suspected that the other had carried out a nuclear explosion and trying to hide it, first, has the right, by submitting the relevant request, to conduct an inspection on the spot.To find out whether there was a breach of contract, even in the case of ultra-small explosions (up to kilograms of explosives). Such tests can hypothetically be carried out not only in mines or tunnels, but, for example, in a solid explosive chambers. To find out whether there was there was the nuclear test is possible only in the course of inspection and sampling. The contract provides participants with the opportunity to conduct an inspection in any place. But, of course, only after it comes into force.So if the US has doubts or suspicions in relation to other countries, then they have no testing to resume, but rather to ratify the CTBT. If their example will be followed by the remaining seven countries out of 44 (36 have already ratified), the ratification of which depends the fate of the Treaty, they can use all their concern to remove with provisions for on-site inspections.The CTBT was approved by the Assamblea the UN in 1996. The United States signed it, but, unlike Russia, is still not ratified. Refuse to sign or ratify the CTBT, a further seven countries from the so-called Annex 2: Egypt, Israel, India, Iran, China, Pakistan and North Korea. Because of this, the Treaty never entered into force. The former U.S. President Democrat Barack Obama repeatedly promised to pursue ratification of the CTBT in Congress, but to break the resistance of Republicans could not. Republicans said that a legally binding prohibition would weaken the nuclear potential of the country, because the US will honestly abide by it, while their opponents will cheat. When Republican Donald trump in “Review of U.S. nuclear policy” and all entered the passage, from which it follows that ratification of the CTBT will not.— And could Russia carry out any other explosions, which have attracted the attention of the United States?— If we are talking about the explosions of ultra-low power, it is necessary to note that there are two kinds of them: the so-called hydrodynamic and hydro-nuclear. Hydrodynamic is a purely chemical explosions. Even if the explosive device is radioactive substance, but the explosion is not involved, the chain reaction is not. Such explosions are not prohibited. Chemical explosions cannot be denied, otherwise it will affect not only all the usual ammunition, but peaceful blasting.Hydro-nuclear explosions — these explosions that took place a chain reaction. They are prohibited under the agreement. But to understand was it or not, we have, as I said, to take a sample directly to the spot of concern events.— To put Americans back without the contract Russia can not?— To let and allow sampling? Of course not. It is possible. This one will never go without the CTBT in force. First, the information that can be obtained, too sensitive. Secondly, to allow such inspection, we would mean that the other party would have done almost anything she can get under contract, without incurring any obligations. Why do they need to ratify the CTBT? This would be the end of the contract.The United States itself, according to media reports, is now building a new more powerful and modern facility in Nevada for extensions (experimental.— “B”) activities. And I have not heard about intentions to avoid anyone.Grigory Berdennikov — Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs (1992-1993, 1999-2001); the Ambassador at large (2010-2015) the Ministry of foreign Affairs. During his diplomatic career, Grigory Berdennikov participated in the largest and most important talks and events in the field of non-proliferation and arms control. Including headed the Russian delegation at the negotiations on the CTBT.— In April��com review of the Department for arms control said that the United States has reason to believe that Russia has explosions of low power with the release of energy during nuclear reactions.— To make such conclusions without inspection, without sampling impossible. Their charges are not supported and cannot be supported by any evidence. The laws of physics. Without access to the site of the explosion, you never know what it was a blast. Was there a chain reaction and so on.— And that the “zero power” of the explosion, which, according to the United States, Russia violated?— Strictly speaking, no such thing as a “zero power” in the contract no. But it clearly States that prohibited any nuclear explosions, I have already quoted. Any, even quite low power, but nuclear, not chemical.— You mentioned new American facility in Nevada. It is reported that by 2025 there in the tunnel 300 meters under the ground will carry out certain “subcritical tests” plutonium. This is not a violation of the CTBT?— I think it will. I personally believe that they blame us in order to justify their actions and plans. It’s a multibillion-dollar project.— The US authorities say that they need it to guarantee the preservation and the reliability of its aging nuclear arsenals.— As the argument in justification of their actions is a competent statement of a question. We are in the process of negotiations for the conclusion of the CTBT has repeatedly made statements that the Treaty should not interfere with the preservation of reliability and security of our nuclear weapons. We are not going to jeopardize its nuclear Arsenal. It must be kept in safe and reliable condition. With it nobody argued. And before the completion of negotiations, Russia, UK, USA and France made parallel statements that they reserve the right to withdraw from the CTBT, if in the course of its implementation there will be circumstances that cast doubt on the possibility of maintaining their existing nuclear arsenals in a safe and reliable condition.However, amid recent reports discussion in the White house the possibility of the US test explosion of nuclear weapons, which you mentioned, can not fail to receive the thoughts that built in Nevada, the object can be focused not only on maintaining the safety and reliability of existing nuclear weapons, but also the development of new.— What does this mean in practice?— This means that it can be not only hydrodynamic, but also hydro-nuclear explosions prohibited under the Treaty. Hence the importance of the CTBT as soon as possible entered into force.— As a second argument for the need to resume nuclear testing, an unnamed U.S. media representatives of the US administration saying that it would be a good lever of pressure on China. Supposedly it is possible to get him to sit at the negotiating table on arms control with the United States and Russia.— This is hardly a realistic calculation. If US so eager to persuade China to enter into negotiations, why can’t they talk with their allies the British and the French, they appealed to Beijing with a proposal to begin negotiations on arms control within the framework of the nuclear five at full strength. Willingness to negotiate arms control from Britain and France probably would have forced China to think about it. These two countries are still out of the negotiations and occupy the same position as China. All three say that while Russia and the United States, with more than 90% of the nuclear Arsenal in the world, will not reduce their warheads to hundreds, they are in negotiations to participate will not. If the nuclear five, the four countries will show interest and commitment to multilateral negotiations, it will create serious pressure on China. But the United States wants Russia to persuade China and its allies specifically output the brackets. Why Beijing needs in such terms about something to negotiate?Thus, the United States, on the one hand, they want to embroil us with China, and on the other — to demonstrate their NATO colleagues, as they consider and defend their positions. The intention may be tricky, but it is transparent.— If the US, as suggested by Russian authorities, lead to the withdrawal of his signature under the CTBT, then they will cease to be bound by the moratorium on nuclear testing?— Of course. After the contract nuclear testing was banned. So, all countries who signed it, can not in accordance with the law of treaties to perform acts that are contrary to its provisions. Even if they have not ratified, and he has not yet entered into force. The signature withdrawal frees the country from such obligations.— If US withdraws the signature under the CTBT, what will be the practical implications of the Treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT)?— Very bad. It would be an obvious undermining of the NPT. After all, article VI of the Treaty we are talking about the primary target of the cessation of the nuclear arms race and to negotiate nuclear disarmament in the framework of General and complete disarmament. In the preamble of the NPT directly supported the goal of a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing. A resumption of nuclear testing will be a movement in the opposite direction.— Can and other countries to follow the U.S. example?— Not ruling it out. It is quite possible.— And Russia? The Russian foreign Ministry recently stated that Russia will maintain a moratorium on nuclear tests until it stick to other countries. — If the Americans resume testing, in my opinion, will have a very serious talk with our military and nuclear scientists, whether they are testing. EU��and, of course, need to carry out. In General, we should not be — it is my deep conviction — no commitment, limiting our ability in this area than those enjoyed by the USA and adhered to them. Otherwise, what kind of parity can I say?“Y” thanks the Center for energy and security for assistance in arranging interviews.
