During a discussion at the Valdai Club, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed growing concerns about a potential return to nuclear testing, amid reports that some countries are preparing for such actions. The question came from Olga Matveyeva of the Mayak and Vesti FM radio stations, who asked Putin to clarify whether the country he was referring to was the United States and whether this could reignite a new nuclear arms race reminiscent of the 1990s.
In his response, Putin clarified that he never specifically named the United States. He stated that "some countries are preparing" to test nuclear weapons, and this information is already known to specialists. He explained that there is always a temptation to test the effectiveness of the combat fuel that has been stored in missiles for decades. While modern computer simulations are used to model the behavior and performance of such nuclear materials, some experts argue that actual full-scale testing is still necessary.
Putin emphasized that if these countries proceed with their nuclear tests, Russia will be compelled to respond in kind. "If they do it, we will do the same," he said, underscoring that Moscow’s decision would depend on the actions of others rather than a unilateral initiative.
When asked if such testing could bring humanity back to the tense nuclear era of the 1990s, Putin stated that "a certain arms race is already underway" but stopped short of calling it a complete return to the past. He argued that from the standpoint of ensuring national security, testing could be viewed as a strategic necessity. However, he acknowledged that from the broader global perspective of deterrence and efforts to prevent escalation, this situation is "probably not bad either," as it forces all parties to reconsider their positions.
Putin linked this discussion to Russia’s earlier proposal to extend the New START Treaty, which limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems between Russia and the United States. He noted that Moscow’s offer to extend the treaty for at least one year reflects Russia’s consistent stance on maintaining strategic stability. “Let everyone think about it,” he concluded.
The New START Treaty, currently set to expire in February 2026, remains the last major arms control agreement between Moscow and Washington. Putin’s remarks highlight growing uncertainty about the future of nuclear non-proliferation efforts, as global power competition intensifies and mutual distrust deepens between major nuclear powers.
Putin ended his remarks by thanking the participants and the audience, saying, “Goodbye, thank you very much. All the best.” His comments suggest that Russia is keeping all options open in its strategic response, signaling that the next phase of global nuclear policy may depend heavily on what actions are taken by other countries in the coming months.
