Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on tuesday that work is underway, following an order from President Vladimir Putin, to prepare a potential Russian nuclear test, Reuters reported. Lavrov stated Russia will only consider such a test if the united States dose so first, alleging Washington is developing new types of nuclear weapons.
The announcement escalates tensions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and raises concerns about a renewed nuclear arms race. While Russia has historically observed a moratorium on nuclear weapons testing, PutinS order signals a potential shift in that policy. A nuclear test by either nation would violate the Complete nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, though neither the U.S. nor russia have ratified it. The development impacts global security,possibly prompting other nations to reconsider their own nuclear postures and increasing the risk of proliferation.