Trump says nuclear weapon tests must resume at once

US to end 33-year moratorium after Putin's drone boast

- KATIE HAWKINSON & JAMES C. REYNOLDS IN WASHINGTON DC

President Donald Trump has instructed his defence department to resume nuclear weapons testing “immediately”.

Mr Trump made the announcement via Truth Social on Wednesday night, just before his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in South Korea.

“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Mr Trump wrote. “This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” he added. “That process will begin immediately.”

Russia has not tested a nuclear weapon since 1990, while China hasn’t tested one since 1996,