• Putin instructs officials to draft proposals for nuclear weapons testing.
• Response comes after Trump indicates U.S. may resume its nuclear tests.
• Russia last conducted nuclear tests in 1990, during the Soviet era.
• Analysts warn that resuming tests could trigger a new arms race.
• Putin emphasizes measures will depend on U.S. actions regarding testing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his government to draft proposals concerning the possible resumption of nuclear weapons tests, a move directly linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent declarations suggesting the restart of American nuclear testing. During a meeting with the Security Council, Putin reiterated that Russia would adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) but insisted, "if the United States or any other state party to the Treaty was to conduct such tests, Russia would be under obligation to take reciprocal measures," according to Reuters and India Times.

Putin’s instructions were prompted by Trump’s announcement on October 30, where he directed the Pentagon to prepare for nuclear testing "on an equal basis" with other nuclear-armed nations. This statement appears to signal a possible shift in U.S. policy as it joins other nations in reconsidering nuclear weapon capabilities after decades, following a hiatus since it last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992, according to South China Morning Post and Africanews.

In a strategic discussion, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov argued the need for immediate preparation for nuclear tests, citing increased military threats from the U.S. He mentioned that the Arctic testing site at Novaya Zemlya is capable of accommodating tests on short notice, indicating that Russia remains poised to respond to any U.S. actions, as per reports from Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

Analysts have expressed concern that any resumption of nuclear testing could destabilize global security and potentially ignite an arms race, reflecting the "action-reaction cycle" of nuclear powers responding to one another's military developments. Senior researcher Andrey Baklitskiy warned that such developments could unfold regardless of intentions, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Putin emphasized that understanding U.S. intentions fully will guide the actions Russia will take regarding the preparations for nuclear tests, highlighting a cautious yet firm stance amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, as reported by Reuters and Africanews.