Trump Orders US Nuclear Tests Amid Russia Missile Threats

President Trump ordered the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing after a 33-year moratorium, citing advancements by Russia and China as reasons for maintaining strategic parity. His directive came amid reports of Russia repeatedly firing the banned Novator 9M729 cruise missiles into Ukraine, violating the INF Treaty, which contributed to the collapse of arms control talks between Trump and Putin. Russia, however, denies conducting nuclear tests, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarifying that recent tests of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater vehicle are not nuclear detonations. Peskov emphasized that Russia has not conducted nuclear explosions and warned that any U.S. nuclear testing would prompt Russia to respond in kind. The move signals a significant shift in U.S. nuclear policy, raising concerns about a renewed arms race among major powers. Despite the tensions, Russian officials expressed cautious responses, noting no prior U.S. notification about the change and downplaying the immediate onset of a new nuclear arms race.