Overview
- Trump said he directed the Pentagon to restart or expand nuclear testing on an "equal basis" with other countries, without clarifying whether this means nuclear explosive detonations.
- U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the activity under discussion involves system tests and not nuclear explosions, leaving the scope of the president's order uncertain.
- Putin told Russia's Security Council that ministries and agencies should submit agreed proposals on potential preparations for nuclear tests, with the Kremlin stressing this is an assessment step rather than an immediate start.
- Russian officials framed the instruction as a reciprocal signal and warned of consequences if the U.S. conducts explosive tests, while disputing Trump's claims that Russia and China are already detonating devices.
- No country has announced an imminent nuclear detonation, technical timelines mean any underground test would take months to years, and the debate unfolds as the CTBT remains unratified by the U.S. and New START nears expiry.