Putin Orders Preparation for Nuclear Weapons Tests Following Trump’s Move
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his top officials to draft proposals for potential nuclear weapons tests, responding to similar statements from US President Donald Trump last week. This development marks a significant escalation in nuclear tensions between the world’s two largest atomic powers.
Key Takeaways
- Putin orders preparation for possible nuclear weapons tests
- Russia will only restart tests if US does so first
- Russia possesses world’s largest nuclear arsenal with 5,500+ warheads
- Last Russian nuclear test occurred in 1990 before Soviet collapse
Putin’s Direct Nuclear Order
In televised remarks during a Security Council meeting, Putin issued clear instructions to multiple government agencies regarding nuclear testing preparations.
“I am instructing the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry… the special services and relevant civilian agencies to do everything possible to collect additional information on the issue, analyse it at the Security Council and make agreed proposals on the possible start of work on the preparation of nuclear weapons tests,” Putin said.
The Russian leader emphasized that Moscow would only resume nuclear testing if the United States takes that step first.
Nuclear Arsenal Comparison
Russia maintains the world’s largest nuclear arsenal with over 5,500 confirmed nuclear warheads. The United States follows closely with 5,044 nuclear weapons. Russia’s last nuclear test occurred on October 24, 1990, before the Soviet Union’s dissolution.
No Specific Deadline Set
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin established no specific timeline for officials to prepare their proposals, indicating the process would depend on understanding American intentions.
“In order to come to a conclusion about the advisability of beginning preparations for such tests, it will take exactly as much time as it takes for us to fully understand the intentions of the United States of America,” Peskov told TASS news agency.
Other confirmed nuclear powers include China, France, Britain, India, Pakistan, and North Korea, while Israel’s nuclear status remains officially unconfirmed.
Trump’s Nuclear Testing Order
The escalating situation follows Trump’s order last week for the US to resume nuclear testing, with the American president claiming other nations were conducting similar tests. Trump hasn’t specified whether this refers to nuclear-explosive testing or flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles.
Recent Russian military developments include testing the new nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, conducting nuclear launch drills, and testing the nuclear-powered Poseidon super-torpedo last month.
The nuclear tensions emerge amid sharply deteriorating Russia-US relations over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, raising global concerns about a potential new arms race.
