Putin exploring a resumption of nuclear testing

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered officials on Wednesday to submit proposals for a possible resumption of nuclear tests in response to President Trump’s statements last week that appeared to suggest the U.S. will restart its own atomic tests.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS

Speaking at a meeting with his Security Council, Putin reaffirmed his earlier statement that Moscow will restart nuclear tests only if the U.S. does so first. But he directed the defense and foreign ministries and other government agencies to analyze Washington's intentions and work out proposals for resuming nuclear weapons tests.

On Oct. 30, Trump appeared to signal that the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would be on an “equal basis” with Russia and China.

But U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday that new tests of the U.S. nuclear weapons system ordered by Trump will not include nuclear explosions.

Trump made the announcement on social media while in South Korea, days after Putin announced successful tests of a prospective nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile and underwater drone.