Heads up: Russia just threw down the gauntlet on nuclear testing! ⚠️ On December 23, 2025, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that if the US decides to resume nuclear tests, Moscow will respond in kind. Talk about upping the stakes! 💥
Ryabkov noted that Russia laid its cards on the table by offering to keep following New START's core limits for one year after its expiration. But the US hasn't given a thumbs-up yet. 🤷♀️
In late September 2025, President Vladimir Putin said in a Security Council meeting that if the US plays fair and doesn’t take steps that could upset the balance, Russia would stick to those limits for another year post-expiration.
The New START treaty, inked in 2010, caps deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems. It's the only active arms control deal between the two superpowers. (It was extended by five years in February 2021.)
Throwback: Former US President Donald Trump once hinted that Washington might run nuclear tests like others, but stayed mum on whether they'd actually detonate warheads. 🔍
More recently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a press call that officials are sizing up comments from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Trump's plan to verify weapon safety through tests. Bottom line: if the US lights the fuse, Russia will have to respond.
For young pros in South and Southeast Asia, this isn't just headline noise—it's a reminder that global security shifts shape everything from tech trends to climate deals. 🌏✌️ Stay informed and keep the convo going!
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Russia to respond in kind if U.S. conducts nuclear tests: deputy FM
cgtn.com
