Putin Orders Nuclear Test Preparation Following Trump’s Directive
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed senior officials to prepare proposals for the potential resumption of nuclear testing. This order comes in direct response to a recent statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who directed the U.S. Department of Defense to initiate nuclear tests for the first time in over three decades. The announcement, made during a televised meeting with the Security Council in Moscow, highlights escalating tensions between the two nations regarding nuclear capabilities.
Putin emphasized that he had previously warned both the United States and other countries that if they proceeded with nuclear tests, Russia would be compelled to take appropriate retaliatory measures. He charged the foreign and defense ministries to gather additional information on this issue and present coordinated proposals for the possible commencement of nuclear weapons testing.
During the meeting, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov voiced support for the need to resume testing, declaring, “We must respond appropriately to Washington’s actions.” He urged immediate preparations for full-scale nuclear testing, reflecting a growing sentiment among Russian officials regarding the need to react to perceived threats from the U.S.
General Valery Gerasimov, who is the chief of the general staff, warned that failing to take timely measures would hinder Russia’s ability to respond effectively. He indicated that preparations for nuclear tests could take several months to years, depending on the type of test. “We are aware of statements by a number of high-ranking American officials regarding the resumption of nuclear testing in the United States,” he noted, suggesting a strong commitment from Washington to pursue this path.
In further comments, Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia’s foreign intelligence service, reinforced the urgency of the situation. The Security Council meeting, initially focused on transport security, was redirected by State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, who called for discussions on the implications of the U.S. announcement regarding nuclear tests.
Trump’s directive, made last week, was met with criticism from nuclear scientists and nonproliferation experts. They argue that live nuclear testing would likely embolden countries like Russia and China rather than enhance U.S. security. Trump stated to reporters that the U.S. would conduct testing “on an equal basis” with other nations, emphasizing that if other countries engage in such activities, the U.S. would follow suit.
The Pentagon and State Department have been approached for comments regarding these developments but have not yet provided a response. Trump’s assertion raised questions about whether he intended to resume actual explosive nuclear tests underground. He hinted at forthcoming actions, stating, “You’ll find out very soon, but we’re going to do some testing, yeah.”
In contrast, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright clarified that any tests would involve non-nuclear explosions aimed at developing advanced systems for nuclear weapons.
Tensions between the U.S. and Russia have escalated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin has frequently referenced Russia’s nuclear capabilities as a deterrent against Western intervention, warning that he would not hesitate to utilize these arsenals if necessary.
Last month, Putin announced a successful test of a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable cruise missile, which is reportedly capable of evading U.S. missile defenses. This missile, known as the Burevestnik, was launched from Novaya Zemlya, an archipelago in northern Russia. Belousov reiterated that the readiness of forces at this central test site allows for nuclear tests to be implemented rapidly.
The situation remains fluid as both nations navigate their nuclear strategies in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
