The President of Russia Vladimir
Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council at the Kremlin. During the discussion, the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav
Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
raised an issue which the members of the State Duma are concerned about – recent statements made by the US President Donald Trump regarding the US
intentions to resume nuclear weapons testing.
“The deputies have questions and are concerned about the situation overall, because this could push the world we all know where,” said Vyacheslav Volodin. “Since you made it clear two years ago that if the United States was to resume nuclear weapons testing, Russia would be entitled to do the same. Could you provide more clarity on this issue, which virtually every deputy is concerned about? They would like to know what kind of steps and actions we are going to take, since this is an extremely important matter, all the more so as the US President has brought it up,” he added.
“Indeed, this is a serious matter, noted Vladimir Putin. The head of the state gave the floor for reports to the Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov, the Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, the Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu and the Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov.
According to the President, Russia adheres to its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, but in case if any state party to the Treaty conducts such tests, Russia would be under obligation to take reciprocal measures.
“Russia has always strictly adhered to its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and we do not plan to abandon these obligations. At the same time, indeed, in my 2023 Address to the Federal Assembly, I said that 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,” noted the head of the state.
“In this regard, I instruct the Foreign Ministry, the Defence Ministry, the special services, and the corresponding civilian agencies to do everything possible to gather additional information on this matter, have it analysed by the Security Council, and submit coordinated proposals on the possible first steps focusing on preparations for nuclear weapons tests,” added Vladimir Putin.
