The international situation during Donald Trump's first term as US president was fraught with tension, especially in the context of nuclear security. Russia expressed serious concern about Trump's position on nuclear weapons and tests, BTA reports.
On this occasion, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov issued a serious warning to the future administration, stating that the Kremlin is considering a number of measures in response.
Trump's radical position
During Donald Trump's presidential term, he was known for his unpredictability and aggressive foreign policy. One aspect that has raised serious concerns in Russia has been his position on the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Trump has been willing to reevaluate important international agreements and has contemplated the possibility of resuming nuclear testing, something that has caused serious concern in Moscow.
Russia and Nuclear Testing
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has avoided conducting nuclear tests, with the USSR's last nuclear test being in 1990. Since then, the Kremlin has stated that it has no intention of resuming these practices unless the United States takes the same step.
In 2020 Russian President Vladimir Putin made it clear that if the United States conducts a nuclear test, Russia will reconsider its position on the issue.
Historical Perspective
In recent decades, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, only a few countries have conducted nuclear tests. The United States has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992, followed by China and France in 1996, India and Pakistan in 1998, and the most recent nuclear tests were carried out by North Korea in 2017.
These events highlight that nuclear tests have been extremely rare and provocative in recent years.
Political and Strategic Dimensions
Russia-US relations during the Trump presidency have been strained, with particular attention being paid to nuclear security and strategy. Ryabkov, as Deputy Foreign Minister, pointed out that the international political situation is extremely tense, and the US position, especially in the context of nuclear issues, is extremely hostile to Russia.
He stated that Moscow would not rule out the possibility of taking steps to ensure national security, including in the area of nuclear testing, if necessary.