"We don't know who conducted tests... If the U.S. does, so will we"
Russia has issued a warning that it will also conduct nuclear tests if anyone else does, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about resuming nuclear weapons testing.
According to TASS news agency, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Palace Spokesperson, stated during a briefing on the 30th (local time), "I would like to remind you of President Vladimir Putin's repeatedly stated position. If someone violates the (nuclear test) moratorium, Russia will respond accordingly."
Earlier that day, President Trump announced via his social media platform Truth Social, ahead of the U.S.-China summit, "Due to the test programs of other countries, I have instructed the Department of Defense (the War Department) to initiate our nuclear weapons testing on an equal basis."
Some analysts interpret President Trump's announcement as a response to President Putin's recent statement about the successful tests of the new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik, which reportedly has unlimited range, and the nuclear-powered underwater drone Poseidon. Russia claims that the Burevestnik can be equipped with a nuclear warhead and is capable of flying at low altitudes for extended periods using nuclear propulsion, making it impossible to intercept with existing missile defense systems.
Peskov emphasized, "So far, we are not aware of anyone conducting tests," adding, "If he was referring to the Burevestnik test, that is absolutely not a nuclear test." He also said, "I hope President Trump has received accurate information about the tests of Burevestnik and Poseidon," stressing, "These tests cannot be considered nuclear tests in any way."
Peskov further stated that "the current nuclear test moratorium remains in effect." Russia, the world's largest nuclear weapons holder, last conducted a nuclear test in 1990 during the Soviet era; the United States joined the moratorium in 1992, and China in 1996. Regarding the United States' intention to resume nuclear tests, he said, "The United States is a sovereign nation and has the right to make sovereign decisions," adding that the U.S. did not notify Russia in advance.
When asked whether President Trump's remarks could trigger a new arms race between Russia and the United States, Peskov replied, "No." He also disagreed with the assessment that dialogue between Russia and the United States has reached a dead end.
Peskov noted that the United States has not yet made any substantive proposals regarding President Putin's suggestion to unilaterally extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which is set to expire next February, by one year. He added, "The extension of New START and nuclear testing are somewhat different topics," and explained that there are currently no detailed expert-level negotiations between the two countries regarding nuclear arms reduction.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued during a briefing that Russia had no choice but to develop the Burevestnik missile in response to destabilizing actions by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). She stated, "The development of systems like Burevestnik was a forced measure to maintain strategic balance," and added, "Russia is taking steps to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of its national strategic deterrence capabilities and assets."
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