Kremlin Warns of Response if U.S. Breaks Nuclear Testing Moratorium

Oct 31, 2025 at 10:52 AM

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Lanka Leader

The Kremlin has warned that Russia will respond “accordingly” if the United States resumes nuclear weapons testing, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump ordering the Pentagon to restart such tests.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Moscow remains committed to its self-imposed moratorium but would act in response to any breach by Washington. “President Putin has repeatedly stated that if someone abandons the moratorium on nuclear testing, then Russia will act accordingly,” Peskov said.

Trump earlier announced that he had directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing “immediately,” citing strategic competition with Russia and China. “That process will begin immediately in response to other countries’ testing programs,” the U.S. president said.

Peskov, however, dismissed Trump’s claim that other nations were conducting nuclear tests. “We are not aware of any such activity,” he said. “If it is about Burevestnik, then it is not a nuclear test. All nations are developing their defense systems, but this is not a nuclear test.”

The Burevestnik is a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable cruise missile developed by Russia, featuring virtually unlimited range. Moscow announced a successful test of the missile last week.

The United States conducted an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test in February and four Trident II submarine-launched missile tests in September. Russia, meanwhile, has not carried out an actual nuclear explosion since 1990, while the U.S. halted its own tests in 1992 under a congressional moratorium.

According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia currently possesses an estimated 5,459 nuclear warheads, compared to 5,177 for the United States, while China is projected to reach 1,500 warheads by 2035.