Russia Proposes Talks with US Amidst Nuclear Testing Accusations
MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered Wednesday, November 12, 2025, to engage in dialogue with the United States to address allegations of secret nuclear weapons testing, as reported by AFP. The offer comes after former U.S.President Donald Trump publicly accused Russia and China of conducting clandestine nuclear tests earlier this month, prompting heightened tensions between the nations.
The accusations, made during a CBS News interview following Trump’s abrupt cancellation of planned talks with President Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine, have spurred Russia to reiterate its commitment to transparency while simultaneously defending its right to weapons testing. With Russia and the United States collectively possessing roughly 85% of the world’s nuclear warheads – totaling approximately 8,000 deployed and stored warheads, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) – clarifying thes claims is critical to maintaining global stability and preventing miscalculation.
Lavrov stated Russian willingness to discuss the “suspicions raised by our American colleagues” with U.S.officials, as relayed by Russian state media. He emphasized that Russia routinely tests its weapons systems, but denies conducting secret nuclear weapons tests. Lavrov further suggested the U.S. could verify Russia’s claims through the global seismic monitoring system.
“Other tests, both subcritical, and those without a nuclear chain reaction, and carrier tests, have never been prohibited,” lavrov added.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry peskov confirmed that Russia has yet to receive official clarification from the U.S. regarding the specifics of the allegations. “So far, no clarification has been given by our American colleagues,” Peskov told reporters. The offer of dialogue signals a potential path toward de-escalation and a renewed focus on arms control discussions between the two nuclear powers.
