US Vice President J.D. Vance has emphasized the importance of resuming nuclear arms testing to ensure the functionality of America’s nuclear arsenal. President Donald Trump announced the resumption of such tests, citing strategic competition with Russia and China. The move has drawn reactions from Russia and China, with the Kremlin warning of potential retaliation and China urging the US to adhere to nuclear test moratoriums.
During a press briefing, Vance stated that maintaining the operational integrity of the US nuclear arsenal is a crucial element of national security. He noted that the US is entering a testing regime to verify that its nuclear weapons remain effective. However, he did not provide specific details on the nature of these tests, leaving many questions about their scope and intent.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton, speaking to Fox News, clarified that the US is not planning large-scale nuclear detonations. Instead, he suggested that the tests would involve small, controlled, and likely underground detonations. This approach is intended to conduct testing without drawing significant international attention or violating global nuclear test moratoriums.
The Kremlin’s response to Trump’s announcement was firm. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian president’s spokesman, reiterated Putin’s position that Russia would take appropriate measures if the US abandons the nuclear test moratorium. He further stated that Russia has no current knowledge of other countries conducting nuclear tests, though he acknowledged that Russia’s recent launch of the Burevestnik cruise missile, which features a small nuclear reactor, does not constitute a nuclear test.
Chinese officials have also expressed concern over the US’s decision. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the US to comply with its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and its commitments to a moratorium on nuclear testing. He emphasized the importance of upholding international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation efforts to ensure global strategic stability and balance.
The US has not conducted nuclear tests since 1992 under a Congress-imposed moratorium. Russia’s last nuclear test occurred during the Soviet era in 1990, while China’s most recent test took place in 1996. The resumption of nuclear testing by the US has thus raised significant geopolitical concerns, particularly given the ongoing tensions between major world powers.