Why it matters:
Russia says it is moving ahead with President Vladimir Putin’s directive to assess and prepare for potential nuclear tests. Moscow’s move reflects growing mistrust of U.S. intentions and Washington’s disregard for international arms-control frameworks. Russia’s decision to proceed with assessments follows repeated U.S. statements about reviving nuclear testing — a step widely seen as destabilizing and provocative.
What he is saying:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says President Vladimir Putin’s directive to evaluate and prepare for possible nuclear tests has been accepted and is currently underway.
“President Vladimir Putin’s order to prepare and assess the possibility of nuclear tests has been accepted and is being carried out,” Lavrov said Saturday evening.
According to Russia’s Sputnik news agency, Lavrov added that “the results of this directive will be made public.”
Lavrov also reacted to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump on potential nuclear testing.
“It is unclear whether he meant testing nuclear weapon carriers or conducting subcritical tests,” Lavrov said. “We have not yet received any explanations through diplomatic channels regarding what President Donald Trump meant by announcing the resumption of nuclear tests.”
He added, “Statements and declarations in Washington indicate that they do not have a shared understanding of what the U.S. president meant.”
Go deeper:
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Zohre Khazaee - Mojtaba Darabi
