This fall is still underway, but it has already seen Russian and U.S. leaders rattle their nuclear sabers at each other at least twice. And while the first round  of brandishing nuclear weapons led to no practical consequences, thankfully, the second round may end up ending one of the few surviving pillars of nuclear arms control: abstinence from nuclear tests by official nuclear powers.

It was, arguably, Russian President Vladimir Putin who initiated that second round on Oct. 26, following discussion in the White House on whether to allow US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles supplied to Ukraine and U.S. energy sanctions placed on Russia’s two largest oil producers over its war against Ukraine. Speaking at Russia’s Joint Force command post, Putin flaunted what he described as successful testing of a nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, describing it “a unique weapon that no other country possesses.” Putin’s praise for Burevestnik prompted President Trump to announce, "I know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores” the following day. 

Spoiling for another round in the nuclear rhetoric bout, Putin then announced a successful test of the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone on Oct. 29, calling it “unmatched in speed and depth” and “impossible to intercept.” Later that day, Trump responded by issuing an instruction to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing “on an equal basis” with Russia and China.¹

President Trump’s post quickly sent ripples through American and Russian media, prompting responses from journalists, experts, and government officials. Some Trump administration officials, rushed to clarify that no full-scale nuclear explosions were imminent, asserting instead that any testing would be limited to noncritical tests. In contrast to them Trump doubled down in an interview recorded with 60 Minutes on Oct. 31, remarking that he ordered resumption of nuclear testing in response to alleged secret underground nuclear detonations by Russia & China: “They test way underground where people don’t know what’s happening with the test.” When asked by Norah O’Donell if the United States “is going to start detonating nuclear weapons for testing,” Trump responded ambiguously, “I’m saying that we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.” Whatever Trump meant by that, it failed to convince Putin to desist. Instead the Russian strongman brandished Russian nuclear sabers again on Nov. 4 and 5. During the Nov. 5 episode, Putin presided over a clearly orchestrated debate of his Security Council’s members on whether to conduct nuclear tests soon (as suggested by his defense minister Andrey Belousov) or first ascertain what is it that U.S. is planning to do in the domain of nuclear tests, as proposed by FSB director Alexander Bortnikov. Below you can find (I) U.S. and (II) Russian comments on the subject of nuclear tests since Trump’s Oct. 29 announcements. The comments open with Trump’s and Putin’s remarks and are then arranged in alphabetical order.

I. U.S. President Donald Trump:

• “I know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores. So, I mean, it doesn’t have to go 8,000 miles, and they’re not playing games with us. We’re not playing games with them either." (Fox News, 10.27.2025)
• “I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying either, by the way. You ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its soon-to-be fourth year. That’s what you ought to do instead of testing missiles.” (Washington Post, 10.29.25)
• “The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP” (Truth Social, 10.29.25)
• “They [Russia and China] test way underground where people don’t know what’s happening with the test.” When asked if the United States “is going to start detonating nuclear weapons for testing,” Trump responded, “I’m saying that we’re going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.” (60 Minutes, 10.31.25)

II. Russian President Vladimir Putin:

• On Poseidon: “For the first time, we managed not only to launch it from its carrier submarine… but also to activate its nuclear power unit, allowing the vehicle to operate for a certain period of time… In terms of speed and operating depth, there is nothing like this unmanned vehicle anywhere in the world, and it’s unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future. And there is no way to intercept it.” (AP, 10.29.25)
• On Burevestnik: “Burevestnik has surpassed all other known missiles in the world in terms of range. It also boasts high precision, achieved steadily within a pre-calculated timeframe. I believe foreign specialists were able to learn about these characteristics first-hand since during the testing of Burevestnik on Oct. 21, a NATO reconnaissance vessel was continuously present in the trial zone. We did not interfere with its operation. They were allowed to watch… On the basis of such power systems, we are already developing a new generation of weapons. Moreover, we have launched the development of next-generation nuclear-powered cruise missiles. Their speed will be more than three times the speed of sound. Subsequently, they will become hypersonic.” (The Kremlin, 11.04.25)
• “All our plans for creating advanced weapons systems, upgrading our defense industry, and equipping the Russian Army and Navy with the latest weaponry and technology are being implemented… We have developed and deployed the Oreshnik medium-range missile system and have begun serial production. We have equipped our intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched missiles with modern systems to counter anti-ballistic missile defenses. This year, we will put the Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile system through combat trials, and next year, deploy it on combat duty.” (The Kremlin, 11.04.25)
• “I’d like to say that Russia has always strictly adhered to and continues to adhere to its commitments under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and we have no plans to walk away from those obligations… back in my 2023 Address to the Federal Assembly, I said that if the United States or other treaty signatories conduct such tests, then Russia must respond accordingly… I instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, special services, and relevant civilian agencies to do everything to gather additional information on this issue, analyze it within the Security Council, and submit coordinated proposals regarding the possible start of preparations for nuclear weapons testing.” (The Kremlin, 11.05.25)

III.  American Reactions:

• Graham Allison, Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard University and Assistant Secretary of Defense in the first Clinton Administration, wrote: “When trying to interpret President Trump’s statements [on nuclear tests], one should begin with Peter Thiel’s insight. As Thiel puts it: “Most people take Trump literally but not seriously—but that’s ass-backwards. One should take him seriously but not literally.” “Trump speaks in hyperbole—his unique combination of fact, fiction, and fantasy. So, how should we understand Trump’s recent threat to resume nuclear testing? How seriously should we take press claims that the US is on the verge of exploding nuclear weapons—something that has not been done since 1992 and would violate the Nuclear Test Ban that it championed, which has constrained Russia, China, and others from exploding nuclear weapons? My answer is: not much… when listening to the President and even more when reading alarmist claims in the press, take Trump seriously—but not literally.” (X, 11.06.25)
• Matthew Bunn, Professor of Practice at the Harvard Kennedy School: “First of All, every statement in that post is wrong… It’s not true the United States has the world’s most nuclear weapons. It’s not true that other states are carrying out nuclear tests. [Trump] seems to think it’s the Department of Defense that carries out tests. It’s not. It’s the Department of Energy… the country that would benefit the most [from renewed testing] would be China.” (CNN, 10.31.25)
• Erin B. Dumbacher, Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations: “Trump’s post upends what was de facto administration policy… The Departments of Energy and Defense have yet to clarify how changes to nuclear testing may proceed… There are other ways to remind the United States’ adversaries of the strength of U.S. capabilities without explosive testing. If the president intends to signal strength and wants the Department of Defense to do so, military commanders and policy professionals can offer creative solutions without the risk of radiological consequences, without offering an advantage to China’s expanding nuclear program, and without the risk of a new global race to test nuclear weapons. (CFR, 10.30.25)
• Decker Eveleth, Center for Naval Analyses: “As I wrote about last year in Foreign Policy, it is extremely doubtful that Burevestnik is all that capable a system. A terror weapon, but not much else.” (X, 10.26.2025)
• Tara Drozdenko, director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists: “There is no good reason for the United States to resume explosive nuclear testing and it would actually make everyone in this country less safe.” (Union of Concerned Scientists, 11.05.25)
• John Erath, Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control ad Non-Proliferation: “[Since Sept. 1992] we had all the data necessary to know how nuclear weapons work, to verify that U.S. nuclear weapons would work, and other people didn’t. So by stopping testing when we did, we sort of locked in an advantage in knowledge that persists to this day… Russia was sending a message [with Burevestnik] that they have nuclear capabilities and they’re not afraid to use them, in order to put more pressure [on allies] to resolve the Ukraine war, which is not going very well for Russia at present… in such a way that will lock in Russian gains… [Tests detonating nuclear weapons] would not be advantageous to U.S. foreign policy in any way.” (Defense News, 11.05.25)
• Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War: “[Credibility.] That is the baseline of our deterrence, and so having understanding and resuming testing is a pretty responsible, very responsible, way to do that. I think it makes nuclear conflict less likely if you know what you have and make sure it operates properly… So it’s the right directive. We’re moving out quickly, and America will ensure that we have the strongest, most capable nuclear arsenal, so that we maintain peace through strength.” (The Hill, 10.31.25)
• Rebeccah Heinrichs, Senior Fellow with the Hudson Institute and Director of Hudson’s Keystone Defense Initiative: “President Trump… may mean conducting flight tests of delivery systems. Or he could mean explosive yield-producing tests, which the U.S. hasn’t conducted since 1992… Weeks ago Mr. Putin offered Mr. Trump an extension of New Start in a thinly veiled attempt to flatter Mr. Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize aspirations. Mr. Trump should reject the offer… It would be prudent for Mr. Trump to insist that the U.S. fully modernize its nuclear triad.” (WSJ,10.30.25)
• Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, said Trump’s accusations last week that Russia and China might have conducted “very low-yield but supercritical nuclear weapons tests are unsubstantiated and highly debatable.” In a statement issued on Thursday, Kimball said such tests “provide little value for advancing the capabilities of their nuclear programs.” “By foolishly announcing his intention to resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong international opposition that could unleash a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear non-proliferation treaty,” he said. (South China Morning Post, 11.05.25)
• Hans Kristensen, director of the nuclear information project at the Federation of American Scientists said "India and Pakistan, which are not believed to have perfected the two-stage thermonuclear bomb, would particularly benefit from a resumption of testing. “They would absolutely start testing weapons,” Kristensen said. (Defense News, 11.05.25)
• John Tierney, head of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: “[Testing with nuclear detonations] makes no sense from a strategic point of view for the United States.” (CNN, 10.31.25)
• Heather Williams, Director of the Project on Nuclear Issues & Senior Fellow at CSIS: “…the administration should also take the opportunity to clarify Trump’s statements and recommit to nuclear agreements that are in U.S. interests. Washington would be worse off if states, particularly China, return to nuclear testing, which it likely would in response to U.S. test plans. This would undermine the norm against nuclear testing and could result in a reverse normative cascade, with implications for other rules of the road, such as nuclear nonproliferation. (CSIS, 10.20.25)
• John Wolfsthal, former advisor to President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden & Director of Global Risk at the Federation of American Scientists: “Russia, the United States, China are all investing tens of billions of dollars on new nuclear delivery platforms -missiles, bombers, submarines… We have returned to the arms race dynamics of the Cold War where each side believes nuclear weapons are important.” (CNN, 10.31.25)
• Chris Wright, U.S. Secretary of Energy: “I think the tests we’re talking about right now are system tests… These are not nuclear explosions. These are what we call noncritical explosions… [they test] all the other parts of a nuclear weapon to make sure they deliver the appropriate geometry, and they set up the nuclear explosion. (ABC News, 11.02.25)

IV. Russian Reactions:

• Aleksei Arbatov, head of the Center for International Security at the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO): “In terms of operationally deployed nuclear weapons and strategic forces, Russia and the U.S. are roughly equal; Russia has a slight advantage in tactical nuclear weapons… Even with rapid expansion, it would take China about ten years to reach parity… Trump might mean the Nevada test site, which is intended for underground testing. These are prohibited by the 1996 treaty, which… the United States and Russia have signed but not ratified… It is observed by the great powers as a moratorium… For Trump, it apparently makes no difference whether it’s missile tests, torpedo tests, or nuclear warheads. His advisers should explain these are not the same… Withdrawal from the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty [CTBT] is only possible with six months’ notice.” (kp.ru, 10.30.25)
• Andrei Belousov, Russian Minister of Defense: “We must certainly focus not only and not primarily on the statements and pronouncements of politicians and American officials, but above all on the actions of the United States of America… potential U.S. abandonment of the nuclear testing moratorium could be a logical step by Washington to undermine global strategic stability… It follows from this that we must maintain our nuclear potential in readiness to inflict unacceptable damage on the enemy under any conditions and circumstances and act adequately in response to Washington’s steps in the interests of guaranteed security for our country… I believe it is advisable to begin preparations for full-scale nuclear testing immediately.” (The Kremlin, 11.05.25)
• Elena Chernenko, Russian journalist: “No country is currently testing nuclear warheads. They are testing weapons capable of carrying nuclear warheads… Moreover, others—primarily Russia—suspect that the United States itself is preparing to resume nuclear testing… On September 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to Donald Trump that the quantitative restrictions under the bilateral Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty… be maintained for a year or more. China has shown no interest in participating in arms control negotiations in recent years, and there are no signs that it is ready to change its position. But all these trivialities are unimportant to Donald Trump.” (Kommersant, 10.30.25)
• Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces: “… if we do not take appropriate measures now, then time and opportunities for a timely response… will be lost… We are aware of statements by a number of high-ranking American officials regarding the resumption of nuclear tests in the United States… analysis of these statements indicates Washington’s determination to prepare and conduct them.” (The Kremlin, 11.05.25)
• Sergei Naryshkin, Head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service: “Our diplomats inquired about the exact meaning of the previous day's statement regarding the U.S. leader's instructions … Representatives from both the White House and the State Department evaded a specific response, assuring that they would report the information "upstream" and contact the Russian side if they deemed it necessary to provide clarification on the substantive issues raised by Russian diplomats.” (The Kremlin, 11.05.25)
• Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the National Security Council of Russia: “Our test sites, of course, have always been kept in a state of readiness, so that they would be operational and could be used at any time if necessary. This, of course is our well-known Novaya Zemlya test site.” Interfax (10.31.25)
• Dmitri Stefanovich, Research fellow at IMEMO: “Among the truly promising nuclear weapons delivery systems, the Americans could test the new LRSO (Long-Range Standoff Weapon) strategic air-launched cruise missile, and it is likely that some of its key elements could have been developed during Trump’s first or second term. Public coverage of such tests could provide a wealth of material for discussion by observers, since even its appearance remains unknown to date, despite repeated reports of successful tests.” (Kommersant, 10.30.25)
• Prokhor Tebin, Director of the Center for Military-Economic Research at the Higher School of Economics: “Despite the degradation of the decades-old [arms control] architecture… it remains important for the Americans to be a ‘responsible nuclear power’… computer modeling and subcritical experiments… are sufficient to maintain the U.S. nuclear arsenal… Preparations for nuclear tests can take up to three years or even longer, which negates their effectiveness as a [retaliatory] countermeasure… It's unclear where all this will lead… It’s also possible that the United States… will conduct full-scale nuclear tests. In that case, the CTBT will likely become a relic of history, and the world will enter a ‘second golden nuclear age… Resumption of nuclear tests, of course, would be undesirable for a host of reasons.” (Russia in Global Politics, 11.03.25)
• Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation: “Considering that Trump recently literally declared that the United States of America is resuming nuclear weapons testing, members of parliament are asking questions and are generally concerned about the situation. Because it's clear where this could lead the world… if the U.S. resumes nuclear weapons testing, Russia has every right to do the same. (The Kremlin, 11.05.25)
• Alexander Yokovenko, former Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Rector of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Diplomatic Academy: “Putin’s announcement of successful tests of the… Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone marks a breakthrough for Russia’s military-technical capabilities… Russia was forced to take these steps after the U.S. withdrawal from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which undermined strategic stability… These new weapons prove any attempts to slow Russia’s development are futile… [and] strengthen [Russia’s] technological and political authority… nuclear drones can accomplish new strategic tasks… challenging both current and future missile defense systems, like Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ project… In a time of increased geopolitical uncertainty for which the U.S. and the West are responsible, Russia’s new deterrent capabilities are more important than ever.” (RIA Novosti, 10.30.25)
• Sergei Karaganov, dean of World Economy and World Affairs at The Higher School of Economics: “Now we have a clear understanding that we can't make any deals with any Trumps in a way that would suit Russia… it's completely clear that we should move on to completely different tactics and a strategy that consists of instilling horror and the fear of God in the European Allies of the United States… we should simply explain to the Americans that our patience ran out or will soon run out, and in the future, we will be acting decisively, first, against their allies, then against their bases and their other assets.” (Daily Express, 11.05.25)
• Dmitri Peskov, Press Secretary for the President of Russia: “Trump mentioned that other countries are allegedly conducting nuclear weapons tests. Until now, we were not aware that anyone was doing such tests. And if it somehow refers to tests of the ‘Burevestnik’, then it is in no way a nuclear test. All countries are working on developing their defense systems, but this is not a nuclear test.” (Orda, 10.30.25)

Footnotes

1. Then-Soviet Russia last tested a nuclear weapon in 1990. The U.S. last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992, according to Axios. China last tested in 1996, according to IRIS. North Korea last tested a nuclear weapon in 2017.

Photo credit: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission via AP, File.