A senior Russian diplomat has hinted that Russia may resume nuclear weapons tests, citing strained relations with the United States as a factor. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov acknowledged that the question of resuming nuclear tests was under consideration, describing the situation as “quite difficult” and subject to ongoing evaluation.
Earlier in September, Ryabkov had referenced President Vladimir Putin’s statement that Russia would refrain from conducting nuclear tests as long as the United States did the same. However, this stance appears to be under review as tensions between Russia and Western nations, particularly over the war in Ukraine, escalate.
Russia has not conducted a nuclear test since 1990, just before the Soviet Union collapsed. Recently, Putin adjusted Russia’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear use in response to what Moscow perceives as increased Western support for Ukraine. The new policy allows for a potential nuclear strike in retaliation for a conventional attack that threatens Russia or Belarus’ sovereignty or territorial integrity.
The changes follow U.S. approval of Western missiles being used by Ukraine against Russian targets, further fueling the tension. Russia’s main nuclear testing site is in the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago, where the Soviet Union carried out over 200 nuclear tests.
In line with these developments, Putin signed a law last year withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the global nuclear test ban treaty. This move aligns Russia’s stance with that of the U.S., which signed but never ratified the treaty.
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