Peskov accuses Western media of ‘militaristic hysteria’ after Putin orders a review of potential nuclear testing.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized the West’s reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks that he would consider resuming nuclear tests.

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“All of this fits with the anti-Russian militaristic hysteria that has now erupted in Western European countries,” Peskov said, emphasizing that the reaction came “despite all our statements and the president’s clear explanations.”

“This is a continuation of the overly emotional response from Western media, many of which have no qualms about distorting the meaning of his speech,” he added.

Peskov also said Moscow has not received an official response from Washington regarding the extraordinary meeting of Russia’s Security Council chaired by Putin on Wednesday.

At that meeting, the Russian leader asked his administration to examine the feasibility of resuming nuclear tests, following recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the possibility of conducting nuclear weapons tests.

Putin instructed the Defense and Foreign Ministries, intelligence agencies, and other institutions to “present a unified proposal on the possible start of preparations for nuclear weapons testing.”

At the same time, he underscored that the Kremlin remains committed to its policy of refraining from such tests as long as other powers do the same.

In 2023, during an address to the Federal Assembly, Putin said, “If the United States or any other state that is party to the relevant treaty conducts such tests, then Russia will also have to take appropriate responsive steps.”

On Wednesday, Trump reiterated that he had asked the Department of War to carry out nuclear weapons tests under equal conditions. “I really hate to do it, but I have no choice,” he said in an attempt to justify his policy.

Two days earlier, during an interview on FOX, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Trump’s order does not currently include explosive tests.

A week before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump announced the possible resumption of nuclear arsenal testing. The announcement came after Putin oversaw nuclear exercises and announced the launch of a Burevestnik cruise missile and a Poseidon unmanned nuclear-powered submarine.

In November 2023, the Kremlin chief signed a law revoking Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) but maintained the testing moratorium until further notice.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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