President Donald Trump has ordered the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing ‘immediately,’ according to a post on Truth Social, as the administration seeks to counter the nuclear advancements of Russia and China. The announcement emphasizes the U.S.’s global nuclear lead, which Trump claims was solidified during his first term. The decision comes amid heightened tensions with Russia, which recently conducted a test of a long-range missile capable of traveling over 8,000 miles. This development has prompted Trump to assert that the U.S. must maintain strategic parity with its global rivals, including China, which is positioned as a distant third in nuclear capabilities.
The resumption of nuclear testing is part of a broader military posture that includes the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines near Russian territorial waters. Trump has publicly stated that the U.S. has a ‘nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores,’ indicating a direct response to Russia’s recent missile developments. He expressed frustration over the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, which he claims has not reached a satisfactory resolution despite extended peace talks. Trump emphasized that the U.S. is ‘not playing games’ with Putin, but has yet to take further diplomatic steps to de-escalate the situation. The administration has also hinted at the possibility of imposing additional sanctions on Russia, though no official announcements have been made.
Russia’s defense ministry confirmed a successful test of a nuclear-powered missile, the Burevestnik, which it claims can travel more than 8,000 miles and evade missile defense systems. The test, conducted in October, demonstrated the missile’s ability to remain airborne for 15 hours. Russia’s top military general, Valery Gerasimov, reported that the missile traveled 8,700 miles during its test, which has sparked international concern over the weapon’s potential impact on global security. These developments have further escalated tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with Trump’s actions signaling a shift toward increased military readiness and strategic competition. The U.S. decision to renew nuclear testing is seen as a significant move in the ongoing geopolitical rivalry, raising questions about the risks of an arms race and the potential for increased global instability.