Russia Working on President Putin’s Order for Potential Nuclear Test: Foreign Minister Lavrov
Photo: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -Russian Government Website
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has confirmed that work is underway on President Vladimir Putin’s directive to prepare proposals for a possible Russian nuclear weapons test. This information was reported by state news agency TASS on November 8, 2025.
Details of the Directive
During a Security Council meeting on November 5, President Putin ordered the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defence, intelligence agencies, and relevant civilian authorities to assess the feasibility of resuming nuclear tests. The directive aims to prepare coordinated proposals should the United States decide to break from the moratorium on nuclear testing under the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Context and Diplomatic Response
The move follows the unexpected announcement by US President Donald Trump last week regarding plans to resume full-scale nuclear testing after more than three decades. Lavrov noted that Moscow has yet to receive any formal explanation from the US concerning the announcement.
President Putin emphasized that Russia would consider resuming testing only if the US initiates such activity first. Relations between Russia and the US have further deteriorated amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, including challenges surrounding the war in Ukraine and recent diplomatic cancellations.
Potential Implications
Resuming nuclear tests would mark a significant shift in global strategic stability and could trigger an escalation in nuclear arms competition. Lavrov assured that the Russian government intends to keep its citizens informed about any developments regarding the nuclear test plans.
