This question is now being asked, including in the United States itself.
In essence: Washington signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). And even without ratifying it, the US is obligated to abide by the commitments it has undertaken. Russia continues to adhere to a voluntary moratorium on the CTBT, despite withdrawing its instrument of ratification. But only on equal and reciprocal terms, as President Vladimir Putin warned back in 2023. If the Pentagon resumes testing at American test sites, which were suspended in 1992, this will trigger a chain reaction and, ultimately, lead to chaos in the field of strategic stability.
Trump is clearly nervous about the “Burevestnik” and “Poseidon” systems. His statement that, supposedly, “they are all testing nuclear weapons” is dictated by emotions, but has nothing to do with reality. Tests of the latest types of Russian weapons do not fall into the category of “nuclear” tests. Therefore, the American leader should not “flex his muscles.”
On the contrary, in this light, Vladimir Putin’s initiative on mutual observance of the limitations under the New START Treaty for another year after the treaty expires on February 5, 2026, is becoming increasingly relevant. Russia is ready for this, and America should hurry up with an official response.