At a meeting with the Russian Security Council, President Vladimir Putin instructed the defense ministry to submit a proposal for testing a nuclear weapon. Last week, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of War to prepare to test a nuclear weapon.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence agencies, and civilian agencies to submit proposals on the possibility of preparing for nuclear weapons tests,” Russian state media, TASS, reported on Tuesday. “Russia warned that if other countries conduct nuclear tests, it would be forced to take retaliatory action, he stated during a meeting with the Russian Security Council.”
Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said that it was expedient to begin preparations for full-scale nuclear tests immediately.
Nuclear weapons testing was rampant during the Cold War, but has largely stopped because of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Both Moscow and Washington are signatories to the agreement, although the world’s two largest nuclear powers have not ratified it.
Last week, just an hour before meeting with Chinese President Xi, Trump posted on Truth Social, “The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.”
He continued, “Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.”
On Sunday, Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified Trump’s statement, saying, “I think the tests we’re talking about right now are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call non-critical explosions.”
On Wednesday, the US fired a nuclear-capable Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from California to the Marshall Islands.
Last month, Moscow announced the successful test of its new nuclear-capable Skyfall missile. The Kremlin says the nuclear-powered strategic weapon has a nearly limitless flight time and range.
While Russia’s nuclear advancements have raised alarm in Washington, Moscow is also concerned about the US developing its strategic weapons systems.
Belousov pointed to the US modernization of its nuclear weapons and delivery systems, including the development of a new class of submarines, a new bomber, a new ICBM, and the refurbishment of decommissioned launchers.
