Putin orders draft proposals for nuclear test resumption
A significant turn in global nuclear diplomacy emerged today as Vladimir Putin instructed senior Russian officials to draft proposals for the possible restart of nuclear weapons testing. This move follows recent remarks by Donald Trump suggesting the United States may resume nuclear tests after decades of moratorium.
Putin convened a meeting with his Security Council in Moscow where he emphasised that Russia has so far “strictly adhered” to its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. However, he noted that if the United States or another nuclear-armed state conducts tests, Russia “would do so too.”
At the meeting, Putin tasked the Defence Ministry, Foreign Ministry, the special services and relevant civilian agencies to gather information, analyse the United States’ intentions, and present coordinated proposals for how Russia might respond.
Defence Minister Andrei Belousov told Putin that current U.S. strategic moves including modernising offensive weapons—suggest it is “advisable to prepare for full-scale nuclear tests” without delay. He indicated Russia’s Arctic test site at Novaya Zemlya would be ready for use.
The backdrop to all this is Trump’s announcement on 30 October that he had instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to resume nuclear weapons testing “on an equal basis” with Russia and China. Though U.S. officials clarified that these new tests would not involve nuclear detonations, the rhetoric alone has unsettled long-standing arms control norms.
This development raises serious concerns about a renewed nuclear arms race. Analysts warn that if the United States and Russia both resume explosive nuclear testing, decades of disarmament progress and international treaties could unravel.
