MOSCOW, RUSSIA — On Friday, President Vladimir Putin directed the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare detailed proposals for possible Russian nuclear-weapons testing, according to an official Kremlin transcript from the Security Council meeting.
Security Council Session Orders New Proposals
During the closed-door Security Council meeting in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin, flanked by Security Council members and senior intelligence officials, instructed both military and civilian ministries to coordinate new contingency plans for nuclear test scenarios. The meeting, recorded on Friday, involved agencies including the Foreign Intelligence Service (SWR) and the Federal Security Service (FSB).
Putin emphasized Moscow’s current adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), saying on record that Russia would remain compliant “AS LONG AS OTHER NATIONS ABSTAIN FROM TESTING NUCLEAR WEAPONS.”
Conditional Response to U.S. Nuclear Moves
In the same session, President Putin warned that if the United States or any other treaty signatory resumed testing, Russia would “RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.” The Kremlin statement, dated Friday, described the order as a directive to “develop concrete technical and diplomatic scenarios.”
Military Chiefs Cite U.S. Ambiguity
Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov told the council that Washington had not disclosed its specific testing intentions. Alongside him, SWR Director Sergei Naryshkin reported that U.S. agencies had provided “NO INFORMATIVE REPLY REGARDING NUCLEAR TEST READINESS.” Both officials referenced recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously announced potential nuclear tests in Washington, D.C., without setting a date or providing clarification.
Intelligence Services Request More Time
During the meeting, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov asked President Putin for additional days to confirm U.S. operational data through intelligence channels. “WE NEED PRECISE INFORMATION BEFORE TAKING ANY STRATEGIC ACTIONS,” Bortnikov stated, according to Kremlin minutes.
Defence Ministry Pushes for Rapid Action
Defence Minister Alexander Belousov urged the Security Council to immediately plan for “comprehensive nuclear testing preparations.” He argued that the expansion of American offensive capabilities by five new delivery systems in 2024 required a proportional Russian response. “THE U.S. IS BUILDING UP ITS STRIKE POTENTIAL — WE MUST NOT DELAY OUR READINESS,” Belousov declared.
References to New Strategic Weapons
The Kremlin document also recorded President Putin’s mention of new-generation nuclear systems, including the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater torpedo, both under development at Russian test sites in Arkhangelsk Oblast. The president noted that these weapons remained in development trials despite the testing moratorium.
International Observers Monitor Signals
As of Friday evening in Moscow, Russian officials had not specified any timeline for test-site activation at Novaya Zemlya or other northern facilities. Diplomatic channels at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Sergei Lavrov, confirmed that preliminary consultations with treaty partners were under review but “NO BREAK FROM THE TEST BAN IS PLANNED UNLESS OTHERS DO SO FIRST.”
Key Takeaways from the Kremlin Session
– Date: Friday, Kremlin Security Council Meeting, Moscow
– Leader: President Vladimir Putin
– Agencies: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SWR, FSB
– Main directive: Prepare proposals for potential nuclear tests
– Condition: Retaliatory response if U.S. or others resume testing
– Locations mentioned: Moscow, Arkhangelsk Oblast, Novaya Zemlya, Washington D.C.
– Notable technologies: Burevestnik missile, Poseidon torpedo
The Kremlin’s official position, reiterated at the end of the meeting, stressed Russia’s continued compliance with the CTBT “AS LONG AS GLOBAL CONDITIONS DO NOT CHANGE.”