Putin again threatens West and orders preparations for 'large-scale nuclear tests'

During a meeting of Russia’s permanent Security Council members, the discussion turned to nuclear weapons.

"I consider it appropriate to begin preparations for full-scale nuclear tests immediately. The readiness of the Central Test Site on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago makes it possible to ensure their rapid implementation," Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said, addressing Putin.

In response, the Kremlin leader began issuing orders to his subordinates.

"I instruct the Foreign Ministry, the Defense Ministry, special services, and relevant civilian agencies to do everything necessary to gather additional information on this issue, analyze it within the framework of the Security Council, and submit coordinated proposals regarding the possible start of work to prepare nuclear weapons tests," he said.

According to him, if the US or other signatories to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty conduct such tests, Russia "will have to take an appropriate and adequate response."

In recent weeks, Putin has repeatedly boasted about successful tests of "new" Russian weapons, including the Burevestnik missile with a nuclear engine and the Poseidon underwater drone equipped with a nuclear power unit.

US to resume nuclear tests

Last week, US President Donald Trump announced that his country would resume nuclear testing.

The American leader added that he made this decision because "other countries" have already resumed nuclear tests, though he did not specify which nations he was referring to.

Meanwhile, today, on November 5, it became known that the United States conducted a test launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, which flew more than 6,000 kilometers.