Russia has warned that it will respond if the United States breaches the moratorium on nuclear testing. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made the statement after President Donald Trump announced plans to resume nuclear‑arms trials, citing strategic competition with Russia and China. Trump said the move was a reaction to “other countries’ testing programs,” although Peskov noted that Russia is not aware of any such tests.
Peskov clarified that Russia’s recent test of the Burevestnik cruise missile, which is powered by a small nuclear reactor, does not constitute a nuclear test. The Burevestnik is a state‑of‑the‑art, nuclear‑capable cruise missile with a virtually unlimited range. The United States has not conducted nuclear testing since 1992, when a Congress‑mandated moratorium took effect. Russia’s last nuclear‑weapon test occurred in 1990, during the Soviet era. The moratorium was intended to curb nuclear proliferation and reduce the risk of nuclear conflict.
According to a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report, the United States currently possesses 5,177 nuclear warheads, while Russia has 5,459. China’s arsenal is projected to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035. Resuming U.S. nuclear testing could spark an escalation of the nuclear arms race, with serious implications for global security.
Peskov emphasized that Russia will act in line with its own interests and security needs if the United States proceeds with testing. While acknowledging the United States’ sovereign right to make its own decisions, he warned that Russia will respond as necessary to protect its national security. The development comes amid rising tensions among the United States, Russia and China, all engaged in strategic competition that spans nuclear weapons, defense systems and geopolitical influence. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, concerned about the potential consequences of a renewed nuclear arms race.
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