President Vladimir Putin has agreed that the feasibility of such preparations should be studied if a response to the US were to become necessary

Russia must prepare for full-scale nuclear tests in response to US plans to restart its own program, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has said.

Belousov told Russian President Vladimir Putin at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that Moscow “must respond to Washington’s steps to ensure the security of Russia. It is expedient to start preparing for full-scale nuclear tests immediately.”

Putin responded by reiterating that Russia has long said it would adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, provided other members do not violate the deal. 

“If the US or other states party to the relevant treaty conduct such tests, then Russia will also be required to take appropriate retaliatory measures,” the president said.

❗️Trump’s Desire for Armed Nuclear Weapons Tests Greatly Increases Level of Danger for Russia – 🇷🇺Def Min

“Moscow must respond to Washington’s steps to ensure the security of Russia, it is expedient to start preparing for full-scale nuclear tests immediately,” Belousov told… pic.twitter.com/Yx3PFUmlmG

— RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 5, 2025

Putin went on to instruct all relevant government agencies, including the Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry, to gather and analyse the necessary information on US plans to restart nuclear tests, before submitting proposals on “the possible commencement of work on preparing for nuclear weapons tests.”

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Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered the Department of War to begin preparations for nuclear testing, claiming the US is “the only country that doesn’t test.”

Trump accused Russia and China of conducting “secret” nuclear explosions, although both Moscow and Beijing have refuted the allegations. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has also said the nuclear watchdog has no indication that either country has conducted any nuclear detonations.

Following Trump’s statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is still waiting for “clarifications from the American side” as to the full meaning of the US president’s comments.