Russia is reassessing the possibility of conducting nuclear tests following actions by the United States, according to Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev.
In a statement on his English-language Telegram channel, Medvedev said Moscow had been compelled to evaluate the feasibility of “full-fledged nuclear tests” after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing.
“Donald Trump is the president of the United States, and the consequences of such words are inescapable,” Medvedev wrote, implying that Washington’s move had left Russia with little choice but to respond in kind.
Trump’s remarks, made during a defense briefing, suggested that the U.S. would restart nuclear testing immediately, citing concerns that other nations were already doing so. However, he did not clarify the type of tests or whether they would involve live nuclear detonations.
Medvedev’s comments come amid heightened geopolitical tension and renewed debate over nuclear deterrence. The U.S. and Russia remain signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. However, neither country has formally ratified the treaty, leaving room for political maneuvering.
During a recent meeting with permanent members of Russia’s Security Council, President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to the CTBT but warned that Russia would respond decisively if other nations, including the U.S., chose to violate it.
Putin instructed the Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and intelligence services to evaluate the feasibility of preparing for nuclear tests should the U.S. proceed with its plans.
The development underscores the fragile state of global nuclear stability. Any resumption of testing by major powers could unravel decades of arms control progress and heighten risks of a new arms race—one with far-reaching consequences for international security.
