Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed top officials to prepare proposals for a potential nuclear weapons test, a step Russia hasn’t taken since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. This move comes in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that the United States may resume nuclear testing.
During a Security Council meeting, Putin directed the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry, security agencies, and other relevant bodies to gather information, analyse the situation, and propose steps for the possible preparation of nuclear tests.
Relations between Russia and the US have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks. Trump canceled a planned summit with Putin and imposed new sanctions on Russia, citing frustration over the lack of progress in ending the war in Ukraine.
At the Security Council meeting, parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin raised questions about Russia’s response to US nuclear testing plans. This led to prepared interventions by top officials. Defence Minister Andrei Belousov suggested that Russia should prepare for full-scale nuclear tests immediately, potentially at the Novaya Zemlya Arctic test site. General Valery Gerasimov emphasized that delays could result in lost opportunities for a timely response, as preparations for nuclear tests could take months or even years.
No nation except North Korea, which last conducted a test in 2017, has performed explosive nuclear tests in the 21st century. Experts warn that resuming tests could trigger a dangerous cycle of action and reaction, raising global instability.
Russia and the US remain the countries with the largest nuclear arsenals, followed by China, France, Britain, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that no deadline has been set for drafting proposals, stating that it will take as long as needed to understand US intentions. It remains unclear whether Trump’s announcement referred to actual nuclear explosions or just missile testing.
Recently, Russia tested its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, conducted nuclear launch drills, and tested the nuclear-powered Poseidon super-torpedo. While such delivery system tests do not involve nuclear explosions, Cold War-era explosive tests had devastating environmental impacts. Resuming such tests could raise similar concerns today.
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