Russian President Vladimir Putin directed top officials on Wednesday to prepare proposals for possible nuclear weapons tests, the first such move since 1991.
The order responds directly to President Donald Trump's recent announcement that the United States would resume nuclear testing.
Putin instructed the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, special services, and civilian agencies to gather information, analyze it at the Security Council, and submit coordinated proposals on starting preparations for nuclear tests. He stated:
I am instructing the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry... the special services and relevant civilian agencies to do everything possible to collect additional information on the issue, analyse it at the Security Council and make agreed proposals on the possible start of work on the preparation of nuclear weapons tests.
This development highlights deteriorating Russia-U.S. relations, marked by Trump's cancellation of a planned summit and new sanctions over Ukraine.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov urged Putin to begin full-scale nuclear test preparations immediately, noting the Novaya Zemlya Arctic site could host tests on short notice.
General Valery Gerasimov, head of the General Staff, warned that failing to act now could forfeit timely response opportunities, as preparations range from months to years.
Parliamentary speaker Vyacheslav Volodin raised the issue during a Security Council meeting ostensibly on transport safety, prompting prepared responses from officials.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified no deadline was set for the proposals and nothing has been decided yet.
Putin emphasized Russia adheres to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and has no plans to deviate unless the U.S. or others conduct tests.
Both nations, signatories to the CTBT, have not performed explosive nuclear tests since the 1990s — Russia in 1990 and the U.S. in 1992.
Trump's statement referenced starting testing on an equal basis due to other countries' programs, though it remains unclear if it involves explosive tests or delivery systems.
No country except North Korea has conducted nuclear explosive tests in the 21st century.