MOSCOW (Special Report): Relations between Russia and the United States have become significantly more strained in recent months, marking a sharp escalation reminiscent of the Cold War era. Tensions have deepened particularly in the realm of nuclear weapons, as both nations move toward potential testing.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired a high-level meeting in Moscow attended by officials from the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence agencies, and relevant civilian departments. During the session, Putin instructed these institutions to present proposals for preparing potential nuclear weapons tests.
“I instruct the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence services, and relevant civil agencies to collect and analyze further information on this matter and present it to the Security Council. Agreed proposals should then be submitted regarding the possible start of preparations for nuclear weapons testing. We will proceed on that basis. I await your report,” Putin said.
The discussion arose unexpectedly during a meeting originally focused on transport security and the results of a recent government delegation’s visit to China. During the session, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin requested to speak off the record and referred to US President Donald Trump’s remarks about resuming nuclear tests. Volodin expressed concern among Russian lawmakers regarding the implications of Washington’s statements.
Putin described the matter as “serious” and invited comments from Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov, Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin, Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, and Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov.
Defense Minister Belousov highlighted the rapid expansion of the United States’ strategic offensive weapons capabilities, warning that Russia must maintain and enhance its nuclear deterrent to ensure a proportionate response. He recommended that Moscow “immediately begin preparations for full-scale nuclear tests.”
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had announced that he instructed the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately, claiming that other countries had already begun such activities. However, Trump did not specify what kind of tests he was referring to or whether they would involve the detonation of nuclear warheads.
Meanwhile, TASS wire service from Moscow reported; The President awaits reports the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the special services, and the relevant civil agencies
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the special services, and the relevant civil agencies to submit proposals regarding the preparation of nuclear weapons tests.
“I instruct the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, the special services, and the relevant civil agencies to gather and analyze additional information on this issue at the Security Council and submit agreed proposals on the potential start of preparations for nuclear weapons tests,” the head of state said. “Let’s proceed on this basis. I await your report,” he concluded.
At the meeting, which was supposed to focus on transport security and the results of the government delegation’s visit to China, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin requested the opportunity “to speak off the record. He pointed to US President Donald Trump’s statements about resuming nuclear weapons testing and mentioned that lawmakers were worried about the situation.
Putin called this a serious issue and asked Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff Chief Army General Valery Gerasimov, Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergey Naryshkin, Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, and Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov to comment.
Belousov, in particular, pointed to Washington’s active build-up of strategic offensive weapons. According to him, Russia must therefore maintain its nuclear potential in order to respond adequately. With this in mind, the minister said it was advisable to “immediately begin preparations for full-scale nuclear tests.”
Earlier, the US president said he had instructed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, citing the fact that other countries were already doing so. Trump did not specify what kind of tests he was referring to or whether they would include the detonation of nuclear warheads.
