Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed top government and military officials to prepare proposals for the possible resumption of nuclear weapons testing.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: Last week, President Trump made headlines after announcing, just hours before a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, that the United States would immediately resume nuclear weapons testing. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.” Though he did not specify which nations prompted the decision, the timing appeared to reference recent actions by Russia, which announced two significant weapons tests: the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile, and the Poseidon, a nuclear-powered underwater drone. While both systems are designed to carry nuclear warheads, the Kremlin argued that these tests involved the delivery systems only (not actual nuclear detonations).

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Putin convened a high-level meeting of Russia’s Security Council, where he formally instructed the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence services, and relevant civilian agencies to “do everything possible to gather additional information” on the United States’ intentions and to “submit coordinated proposals on the possible commencement of work to prepare for nuclear weapons testing.” Putin also said that Russia remains committed to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), but made it clear that any nuclear tests by the US or other signatories would “obligate” Russia to take “reciprocal measures.”

At the same meeting, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov backed the directive, stating that US actions had “significantly increased the level of military threat to Russia,” and argued that the country must begin preparing for tests immediately. “We must respond appropriately to Washington’s actions. It is expedient to start preparing for full-scale nuclear tests immediately, Belousov said. He also claimed that Russia’s central test site at Novaya Zemlya was ready and capable of hosting such operations on short notice.

Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov also chimed in, saying, “If we do not take appropriate measures now, we will miss the opportunity to respond promptly to the United States’ actions.”

As of now, the United States has not responded to any of the statements coming out of Russia.