Russia has demanded that the United States clarify recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about restarting nuclear testing, warning that such a move could provoke strong international reactions.
Moscow Calls for Explanation
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday that Moscow wanted Washington to explain Trump’s statement, which appeared to suggest a resumption of nuclear tests after more than three decades. “Such actions, if confirmed, would have serious consequences and prompt responses from other countries,” she told reporters at a press briefing in Moscow.
Trump last week ordered the U.S. military to “immediately restart” the process for testing nuclear weapons, ending a 33-year halt. However, it remains unclear whether he was referring to full-scale nuclear-explosive testing—overseen by the National Nuclear Security Administration—or missile flight tests involving nuclear-capable systems.
Russia Prepares for Possible Response
Amid the uncertainty, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed top security officials on Wednesday to prepare proposals for a potential nuclear test should the United States proceed with one. Moscow has not conducted a nuclear test since 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Putin’s directive underscores growing tensions between the two nuclear powers, which together hold the world’s largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Any resumption of testing by either side would mark a major departure from decades of arms control efforts aimed at preventing the escalation of nuclear rivalry.
Rising Global Concerns
International observers have expressed concern that a return to nuclear testing could undermine the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions. Although neither the U.S. nor Russia has ratified the treaty, both countries have observed a testing moratorium since the early 1990s.
Analysts say renewed testing could set off a dangerous chain reaction, prompting other nuclear-armed states to follow suit. Diplomatic sources in Moscow indicated that Russia would seek clarification through official channels before deciding on further steps.
(with inputs from Reuters)
