Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (November 5, 2025) indicated that Russia could resume nuclear weapons testing if the United States goes ahead with similar plans, marking a new phase of strategic tension between the two powers.
Putin made the remarks during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council in Moscow, weeks after US President Donald Trump publicly declared that Washington would restart nuclear testing for the first time in over three decades.
“I instruct the Defence Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, and the security services to gather information on this issue and submit proposals for possible preparation works for nuclear weapons tests,” Putin said.
Putin: Russia’s nuclear deterrence is ‘at the highest level’
The Russian leader said that the country’s nuclear deterrent capabilities were “modern and fully operational,” claiming that Russia’s strategic readiness was superior to that of any other nuclear-armed nation.
“The so-called modernity of our nuclear deterrent forces is at the highest level — higher than any other nuclear power,” he asserted.
Earlier this week, Putin oversaw a large-scale strategic nuclear exercise, involving land-based missile units, strategic bombers, and nuclear submarines — a demonstration of what Russia describes as its “readiness and command reliability.”
Trump’s nuclear testing claim sparks global concern
The renewed tension comes after President Donald Trump announced via social media that he had instructed the Pentagon to “begin nuclear testing on an equal basis” with other nations, adding that the process would “start immediately.”
Trump made the remarks shortly before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. However, his statement triggered confusion among US officials and global observers, as it was unclear whether he referred to testing of nuclear warheads or delivery systems such as missiles.
The United States has maintained a moratorium on explosive nuclear testing since 1992, under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) framework, though it has not formally ratified the treaty.
Russia, US exchange accusations
Washington has long accused Moscow of conducting low-yield underground tests and of lacking transparency in its nuclear programme. Russia, while denying the allegations, has tested two new nuclear-powered delivery systems in recent years.
Putin’s latest comments, analysts say, appear to signal a warning to Washington — that Moscow could abandon its informal restraint if the US breaks the long-standing nuclear test moratorium.
“Should the US proceed with actual testing, Russia’s move will be justified as a reciprocal response,” said a senior Russian defence analyst quoted by RIA Novosti.
Global nuclear testing landscape
If either country were to resume testing, it would mark the first full-scale nuclear detonation since 2017, when North Korea carried out its last known test explosion.
Trump, in a CBS 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, defended his position, saying that “other countries, including Pakistan, North Korea, China, and Russia,” were already conducting secret underground tests.
“You don’t necessarily know where they’re testing — they test way underground where people don’t know exactly what’s happening,” Trump claimed.
Next steps
The Russian government said it will now begin internal deliberations on “possible preparatory works” for test resumption, depending on developments in Washington.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Nuclear Safety and Non-Proliferation at the United Nations has called for restraint and renewed dialogue, urging both powers to uphold global arms control commitments.
If Russia or the US were to officially resume nuclear testing, experts warn it could undermine decades of non-proliferation efforts and trigger a new arms race among major nuclear powers.