MOSCOW(The COW News Digital) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that Russia will respond in kind if the United States conducts nuclear detonations, reiterating Moscow’s longstanding nuclear policy. Speaking to international media, Lavrov referenced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2023 statements, which clearly outlined the country’s approach to nuclear tests.
“President Putin made it clear in 2023 that if any nuclear power carries out a test, Russia will respond in the same manner,” Lavrov said. He clarified that tests could involve delivery systems or materials that do not contain nuclear warheads but are part of routine evaluations of nuclear capabilities.
The remarks follow concerns over U.S. nuclear directives. President Donald Trump had reportedly instructed his administration to prepare for nuclear tests, prompting apprehension from Moscow. Trump’s claims last month suggested that other nations were conducting nuclear tests, and he directed the Pentagon to undertake comparable evaluations to ensure U.S. nuclear systems are functional and reliable.
U.S. Secretary of Energy and head of the nuclear program, Chris Wright, later clarified that while the United States would not perform an actual nuclear detonation, it would conduct tests on nuclear weapon components to verify operational readiness.
Lavrov’s comments also referenced Russia’s recent missile test in October, which involved a nuclear-capable delivery system but did not include an active nuclear warhead. He stressed that such actions are consistent with Russia’s deterrence policy and remain defensive in nature.
Historically, Russia has not conducted a full nuclear test since 1990, the United States last tested a nuclear bomb in 1992, and China conducted its last test in 1996. Following these tests, the three countries signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in 1996, although nations such as India, Pakistan, and North Korea have conducted nuclear detonations since then.
Lavrov’s warning underscores ongoing global concerns about nuclear escalation and highlights the delicate balance of deterrence between major powers. Analysts note that statements from both Washington and Moscow emphasize readiness, while reaffirming that actual nuclear detonations remain unlikely.
The international community continues to monitor developments closely, emphasizing dialogue and verification to prevent misunderstandings that could escalate into a nuclear confrontation. Russia’s position reflects its commitment to maintaining strategic parity while deterring any unilateral nuclear actions by other states.
