Tensions between Moscow and Washington have escalated after Russia demanded clarification from the United States regarding President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about resuming nuclear weapons testing.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova made the statement during a press briefing on Friday, emphasizing that any move by the US to restart nuclear testing would provoke “serious responses” from other nations.
“We expect Washington to clarify what exactly President Trump meant by his statements. The implications of such a step would be extremely serious for global strategic stability,” Zakharova told reporters.
💣 Trump’s Nuclear Testing Directive
The controversy stems from President Trump’s order last week directing the US military to “immediately restart the process for testing nuclear weapons,” effectively ending a 33-year halt on such activities.
However, ambiguity remains over whether Trump referred to full-scale nuclear-explosive tests — overseen by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) — or non-explosive flight tests of nuclear-capable missiles.
The US has not conducted a nuclear detonation since 1992, after joining the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) framework, though it never formally ratified the treaty.
⚠️ Russia’s Response and Concerns
Following Trump’s announcement, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed senior defense officials to prepare countermeasures, including plans for a possible nuclear test of their own, should Washington proceed.
“Given the lack of clarity around US plans, Russia must be ready to respond accordingly,” Putin said earlier this week.
Russia, like the US, possesses one of the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals. Both nations have largely maintained a moratorium on nuclear testing since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, as part of efforts to uphold global non-proliferation norms.
🌍 Global Reactions and Fallout
Experts warn that a return to nuclear testing by the US could undermine decades of arms control progress and spark a new era of nuclear competition among major powers.
International watchdogs and diplomats have expressed concern that the move may weaken global confidence in non-proliferation treaties, particularly at a time when tensions between nuclear-armed states — including Russia, China, and North Korea — are already high.
🕊️ The Bigger Picture
Both the US and Russia have accused each other in recent years of violating arms control agreements, such as the INF Treaty and New START, further straining bilateral relations.
If nuclear testing resumes, analysts fear it could trigger a new arms race, disrupt fragile diplomatic balances, and heighten the risk of global instability.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
