Summary
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia would respond with its own nuclear tests if the United States tested nuclear weapons. This statement came after President Trump suggested the U.S. might resume nuclear testing, although the U.S. has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992. China and Russia have both called for adherence to a global agreement to stop nuclear tests.
Key Facts
- Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, said Russia would test nuclear weapons if the U.S. did.
- U.S. President Donald Trump directed testing of nuclear weapons, although only of components, not actual explosions.
- The U.S. last tested nuclear weapons in 1992; Russia last did so in 1990.
- The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) aims to stop all nuclear test explosions and has been signed by many countries.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has not received direct communication from the U.S. about its testing plans.
- China stated it is not conducting nuclear tests and follows a policy of no first use.
- Lavrov criticized a U.S. official nominee's comments about using nuclear weapons in regional conflicts.
- Russia was previously accused of threatening nuclear action during its conflict with Ukraine in 2022.
