EU addresses Putin following his threats of nuclear testing
Photo: Vladimir Putin, the Russian President (Getty Images)
The European Union has urged Russia to stop its nuclear threats after President Vladimir Putin suggested the resumption of nuclear weapons testing. This was stated by an EU representative, according to Sky News.
"The EU urges Russia to refrain from nuclear threats and all actors to avoid actions that could trigger a new arms race," the outlet quotes an unnamed EU spokesperson.
Putin’s threats
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that his country is resuming nuclear weapons testing, since other states "are already doing it."
Trump made this statement after Russian President Vladimir Putin began boasting about new weaponry capable of carrying nuclear warheads. First, he claimed successful tests of the Burevestnik missile, and then of the Poseidon underwater drone. Both the Burevestnik and the Poseidon are allegedly equipped with nuclear propulsion.
Against this backdrop, Russian officials suddenly became alarmed. In particular, Russia’s Defense Minister Andrey Belousov claimed that the US is supposedly practicing nuclear missile strikes on Russia during military exercises.
He also proposed that Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately begin preparations for "full-scale nuclear drills."
In response, Putin ordered his subordinates to look into this idea. He also added that if the US or other nuclear-armed states resume nuclear tests, Russia "would have to respond appropriately."
Later, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov began to backpedal, claiming that Putin had supposedly not ordered preparations for nuclear testing.
