Global Security at Risk as Russia Threatens Nuclear Test Response to U.S. Actions

KAZI ABUL MONSUR, JOURNALIST#

Tensions between Russia and the United States over the potential testing of nuclear weapons have escalated ahead of the new Trump administration. Russia’s Putin administration has already issued a warning regarding possible nuclear weapons tests. On December 27, 2024, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned the incoming Trump administration that in response to U.S. nuclear weapons tests, Moscow is seriously considering the possibility of conducting its own nuclear weapons tests in the near future.

Ryabkov’s remarks serve as a warning to the U.S., indicating that if the United States proceeds with nuclear weapons testing, Russia may also explore the option of conducting its own tests. This signifies a potential increase in global tensions regarding nuclear power, with Russia preparing to respond.

The comments were made during a press conference in Moscow, where Ryabkov highlighted that if the U.S. starts nuclear weapons testing, Russia will review the possibility of testing its own nuclear weapons. This is a crucial issue that could significantly impact international relations and security.

Ryabkov’s statement can be seen as a warning reflecting Russia’s nuclear policy and the broader international security situation. It suggests that if the U.S. resumes nuclear weapons testing, Russia may retaliate with similar actions, leading to a new risk of nuclear warfare.

This situation could further escalate tensions in international relations and military competition. Such discussions about nuclear weapons testing also pose challenges to global security and could affect arms control agreements.

In fact, after President Donald Trump assumed office in 2017, he strongly opposed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which was signed in 1996 under Russian leadership in the United Nations. The treaty prohibits all nuclear explosions for both military and peaceful purposes. While the Trump administration had previously discussed bypassing the CTBT and conducting nuclear tests, it did not take any significant action in this regard.

Now, with Trump in his second term, the Russian government has expressed concerns that the U.S. might attempt nuclear weapons testing again. However, despite Russia’s concerns, Trump has not yet commented or issued any provocative statements on this sensitive issue. Meanwhile, since the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war started on February 24, 2022, the Putin administration and its defense ministry have repeatedly threatened nuclear strikes on NATO member countries.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was proposed on September 10, 1996, by the United Nations General Assembly to protect the world from the radiation of nuclear weapons. However, the treaty was never implemented as eight countries, including the U.S., did not approve it. As a result, in October 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that since the U.S. had not ratified the CTBT, Russia would withdraw its approval of the treaty. On November 2, 2023, Putin officially signed the law withdrawing Russia’s approval of the CTBT.

Historically, the U.S. conducted the first nuclear bomb test in July 1945 in New Mexico, followed by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in August 1945, marking the first use of nuclear weapons in warfare. These events introduced humanity to the devastating potential of nuclear weapons, leading to an extended arms race between the world’s dominant powers.

According to Wikipedia, in 2024, nine countries collectively possess approximately 12,119 nuclear warheads. Among them, the United States has about 5,044 nuclear warheads, while Russia has around 5,580. Other countries with nuclear arsenals include China (500), France (290), the United Kingdom (225), Pakistan (170), India (172), Israel (90), and North Korea (approximately 50).

In addition to possessing vast amounts of nuclear weapons, these countries have also conducted numerous nuclear tests, including underground, underwater, and atmospheric tests. The U.S. alone carried out approximately 1,030 nuclear tests between 1945 and 1992. Russia conducted 715 tests, the U.K. 45, France 210, China 45, India 6, Pakistan 2, and North Korea 6. Israel is believed to have around 90 nuclear weapons, but it is unclear whether it has ever conducted a nuclear test.##Sources: Wikipedia, Reuters, The Independent.