Putin Orders Review of Nuclear Test Plans Following Trump’s Comments

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed government officials to develop proposals for potentially resuming nuclear tests. This decision follows remarks made by Donald Trump which suggested that the United States might restart its own nuclear testing program. During a meeting with his Security Council on Wednesday, Putin emphasized that Russia would only resume nuclear tests if the U.S. initiated such actions first.

Putin instructed the defense and foreign ministries, along with other relevant agencies, to assess Washington’s intentions regarding nuclear developments. The call for proposals comes in light of Trump’s comments on October 30, 2023, where he indicated that any U.S. nuclear testing would occur on an “equal basis” with Russia and China. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, however, clarified that the new tests ordered by Trump would not involve nuclear explosions.

While the U.S. has not conducted nuclear detonations since 1992, the military has continued to test nuclear-capable weapons. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by the U.S. but never ratified, has been adhered to globally, with the exception of North Korea. In a notable move, Putin signed legislation in 2023 revoking Russia’s ratification of this treaty, asserting that it was necessary for Russia to remain competitive with U.S. nuclear capabilities.

At the Security Council meeting, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov presented an analysis of U.S. efforts to modernize its nuclear arsenal. He warned that a potential revival of nuclear testing by the U.S. would significantly heighten military risks for Russia. To address these perceived threats, Belousov proposed that Moscow should begin preparations for nuclear tests on the Arctic Novaya Zemlya archipelago, the site of the last Soviet nuclear test in 1990.

The chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, supported the call for immediate preparations. He stressed the importance of acting swiftly, noting that the timeline for nuclear test preparations can extend from several months to years, depending on the nature of the tests.

After consulting military leaders and other senior officials, who expressed concern over the mixed signals from Washington about its nuclear strategy, Putin ordered a comprehensive analysis of the situation. He instructed government agencies to gather more information, evaluate it within the context of the Security Council, and present coordinated proposals regarding the possible resumption of nuclear weapons tests.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin’s directive does not equate to an immediate start of preparations for nuclear tests. Instead, he emphasized the necessity of understanding U.S. intentions before making further decisions.

In a related statement, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the Security Council, acknowledged the seriousness of Trump’s comments. He remarked on the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s intentions but highlighted that as the U.S. President, the implications of such statements could compel Russia to reassess its own nuclear testing policies. Medvedev noted, “Russia will be forced to assess the expediency of conducting full-fledged nuclear tests itself.”

As international tensions rise, this development marks a significant moment in global nuclear discourse, reflecting the delicate interplay between military strategy and diplomatic relations.