The nuclear tensions have escalated following an announcement from the United States regarding the immediate commencement of nuclear weapons testing. In response, Russia has warned of taking similar actions, while China expressed hope that the U.S. will adhere to its commitment to halt nuclear tests.
U.S. President Donald Trump instructed the Department of Defense to initiate nuclear weapons testing for the first time in 33 years. He made this surprising announcement on his Truth Social platform while aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One en route to a trade negotiation session with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.
Trump stated, “Due to testing being conducted by other nations, I have directed the Department of Defense to commence testing our nuclear weapons similarly. Russia is second, and China is third by a significant margin, but they will be on par within five years.”
He emphasized that it is necessary for the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing to keep pace with other nuclear powers, adding that locations for these tests will be determined later.
Additionally, Trump revealed that he has granted South Korea the approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine, which will be constructed at a shipyard in Philadelphia.
On Truth Social, Trump noted, “I have approved their plans for a nuclear-powered submarine, as opposed to the older diesel-powered submarines they currently possess, which are significantly less advanced.”
In a related development, the Kremlin stated that Russia’s tests of a nuclear-powered missile and torpedo were not nuclear weapons tests.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, noted that President Vladimir Putin previously warned that if any country were to test a nuclear weapon, Russia would respond likewise. He also cited Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov, who stated that U.S. nuclear testing would lead to a return of instability and open confrontation.
Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the U.S. will honor its promise to cease nuclear testing and adhere to the treaty prohibiting such practices.
In response to inquiries about President Trump’s resumption of nuclear weapons testing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated that China hopes the U.S. will maintain global strategic balance and stability.