Putin has asked Russia’s government to draft options for possibly resuming nuclear weapons test detonations after President Trump suggested the Pentagon consider testing "on an equal basis" with other countries. Putin said Russia has observed the CTBT but would take reciprocal steps if another party resumed explosions. Analysts note it is unclear whether Trump meant actual nuclear detonations or expanded system tests; the U.S. last detonated a nuclear device in 1992. Russia revoked its CTBT ratification in 2023 and recently lowered thresholds in its nuclear doctrine, raising geopolitical concerns.
Putin Orders Government to Draft Options to Possibly Resume Nuclear Test Detonations
Putin has asked Russia’s government to draft options for possibly resuming nuclear weapons test detonations after President Trump suggested the Pentagon consider testing "on an equal basis" with other countries. Putin said Russia has observed the CTBT but would take reciprocal steps if another party resumed explosions. Analysts note it is unclear whether Trump meant actual nuclear detonations or expanded system tests; the U.S. last detonated a nuclear device in 1992. Russia revoked its CTBT ratification in 2023 and recently lowered thresholds in its nuclear doctrine, raising geopolitical concerns.
00:57, 06.11.2025Security
Putin asks government to prepare options for possible return to nuclear tests
Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed his government to prepare proposals on the potential resumption of nuclear weapons testing, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s public suggestion that the Pentagon consider testing "on an equal basis" with other countries.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Putin reiterated that Russia has observed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans nuclear test explosions. He warned, however, that "if the United States or any other state party to the Treaty was to conduct such tests, Russia would be under obligation to take reciprocal measures."
What Trump said and why it matters
In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, Mr. Trump said the United States would "test" because, in his view, other countries "are testing"—naming Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan. He did not clarify whether he meant renewed nuclear explosive detonations (atmospheric or underground) or expanded tests of delivery systems and non‑nuclear components.
The United States last carried out an explosive nuclear test in 1992. Russia’s last known nuclear explosive test took place in 1990 and China’s in 1996. Since the 1990s, only North Korea has conducted known nuclear detonations.
Reactions and international context
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, posted that "no one knows what Trump meant about 'nuclear testing' (he probably doesn't himself)," and warned that Trump’s words could force Russia to "assess the expediency of conducting full‑fledged nuclear tests itself."
China quickly denied any secret detonations, and a Pakistani official told CBS News that Pakistan "will not be the first to resume nuclear tests." Those denials came days after President Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Strategic Command told lawmakers that neither China nor Russia were conducting nuclear explosive tests.
Treaty status and doctrine changes
The CTBT has been signed by nearly 180 nations, including the United States, but several nuclear powers—including the U.S. and China—have not ratified it. In 2023, Putin revoked Russia’s ratification, a move that sparked debate and speculation about the future of explosive testing.
Although Moscow has increased testing of nuclear‑capable and nuclear‑powered delivery systems, it has not announced a resumption of explosive nuclear tests. Last year, Russia revised its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for potential use and stating that an attack on Russia by a non‑nuclear state supported by a nuclear power could be treated as a joint attack by both.
U.S. clarification
U.S. officials have offered limited clarification. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, appointed by President Trump, told Fox News that current discussions likely refer to "system tests" rather than renewed nuclear explosions, describing them as "non‑critical explosions" aimed at verifying non‑nuclear components and delivery geometry.
Takeaway: Putin’s request for options signals Moscow’s readiness to respond if other states resume explosive nuclear tests, but major ambiguity remains about whether the United States intends to restart atomic detonations or only expand non‑nuclear system testing.