Russian despot Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia will consider resuming nuclear tests if the United States did the same.
The statement marks the latest episode of nuclear sabre-rattling between the world’s two largest atomic powers, after Putin and Trump failed to find ways to resolve the Ukraine conflict.
Putin ordered Russia’s defence and foreign ministries, as well as security services, to ‘gather information on this topic’ and make ‘proposals on the possible start of preparation works for nuclear weapons tests’.
Russia has not conducted a nuclear test since 1990, the year before the collapse of the USSR.
Trump said on social media last week that he had instructed the Pentagon to ‘start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis’ with Russia and China. It was unclear whether he was referring to tests involving nuclear warheads or not.
During a security council meeting, Putin was responding to Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, who suggested to ‘begin immediate preparations’ for nuclear testing in the Arctic archipelago Novaya Zemlya.
Earlier this week, Putin unveiled his new terrifying nuclear submarine, built to carry a doomsday weapon capable of unleashing a radioactive tidal wave.
The hulking Khabarovsk, which ramps up the tyrant’s threats of World War Three, is equipped to fire Russia’s notorious Poseidon nuclear drone at Western coastlines.
Russian despot Vladimir Putin (pictured) has warned that Russia will consider resuming nuclear tests if the United States did the same
The Khabarovsk nuclear submarine is seen during its launch at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvindk. It was originally meant to be unveiled in 2020, but suffered delays
The submarine’s launch – five years late due to repeated unexplained delays – was in Severodvinsk in Russia‘s far north, observed by defence minister Andrei Belousov.
‘The heavy nuclear-powered missile cruiser Khabarovsk is being launched from the renowned Sevmash shipyard,’ he said.
‘Carrying underwater weapons and robotic systems, it will enable us to successfully secure Russia’s maritime borders and protect its national interests in various parts of the world’s oceans,’ he said.
In October, Putin oversaw two tests of nuclear-capable weapons, which excluded atomic warheads.
Trump has been trying to end fighting between Russia and Ukraine since he returned to the White House in January.
Talks have yielded no progress however, and he has shown increasing frustration with Putin, who has rejected multiple calls for a ceasefire.
Aside for North Korea, no country has carried out an atomic weapon test involving a nuclear explosion in the 21st century.