Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that if it resumes nuclear weapons testing, Russia will take reciprocal action to protect its national security.
Speaking before senior security and military officials, Putin said Moscow would respond appropriately to any move that could pose a threat to its strategic stability or global peace.
He stated, “If the United States violates the nuclear test ban treaty, then we will take the necessary steps to ensure balance between both nations.”
Analysts have described Putin’s warning as a new phase of rising tension between Moscow and Washington, amid ongoing disputes over nuclear arms control and the war in Ukraine.
Western intelligence sources suggest that Russia continues to conduct technical tests on certain types of missile systems, though without openly breaching international law.
The US, for its part, has not announced any plans to resume nuclear testing, but American security officials say they are “closely monitoring the situation” as a preventive measure.