Overview
- Trump said he instructed the United States to restart nuclear weapons testing "on equal terms" with other countries and claimed the process would begin immediately.
- The Kremlin reiterated that the existing moratorium on nuclear tests still applies, and CTBTO chief Robert Floyd warned any testing would undermine global stability.
- Financial Times and several analysts cast the remarks as leverage in talks with Russia and China or a misunderstanding of recent Russian weapons announcements, with a German general and ex‑U.S. officer citing confusion over Burevestnik and Poseidon tests.
- Practical considerations point to a long lead time, with experts noting preparations would likely take months at Nevada’s test site, and a U.S. Strategic Command nominee said he would not assume the words meant nuclear detonations.
- Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said there is no scientific or military need to resume explosive testing and cautioned that U.S. moves could prompt reciprocal steps by Russia and China.