Russia and China did not conduct nuclear tests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today, quoted by TASS, BTA reported.
TASS notes that with his statement, Peskov refutes US claims that underground nuclear tests were conducted in China in June 2020.
"We hear a lot of statements about some tests. Both the Russian Federation and China were mentioned in this regard. Neither the Russian Federation nor China conducted any nuclear tests. We also know that these claims were resolutely rejected by representatives of the People's Republic of China. That's why the situation is like this," Peskov said.
A senior Trump administration official revealed new details yesterday in support of the claim that China conducted an underground nuclear test during Donald Trump's first term, the Washington Post reported.
This claim, although disputed, has become a catalyst for Donald Trump's drive for the United States to resume such tests.
"We will not remain at a disadvantage," said Christopher Yeo, who heads the State Department's Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation, during a discussion at the Washington think tank Hudson Institute. He called on Beijing to "admit" for its nuclear tests, which some American officials and experts say are part of a deliberate effort by China to catch up, if not surpass, the United States' global advantage in nuclear technology.
The Russian delegation to the Ukraine talks in Geneva is directly reporting to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the progress of the consultations, Dmitry Peskov also said.
The US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine are continuing for a second day in Geneva. The Russian delegation is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the Russian president.