Trump orders accelerated nuclear weapons tests in response to Russia

President Donald Trump said the U.S. would accelerate its nuclear weapons testing, after Russia in recent days announced trials of a nuclear-powered underwater drone and nuclear-capable cruise missile.

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” Trump said in a social media post. “That process will begin immediately.”

Russia has accelerated testing of so-called nuclear superweapons in recent weeks, as Trump’s efforts to broker ceasefire talks with Ukraine have faltered. The advanced nuclear weapons are designed to bypass missile defence systems.

Earlier this week, Trump said a missile test championed by Vladimir Putin was “not appropriate” and that the Russian president should focus on en