Moscow has attempted to alleviate escalating nuclear tensions with Washington following its recent tests of the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone, asserting that these do not equate to nuclear weapon tests. This comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive for the Department of War to initiate nuclear testing, a potential departure from a long-standing moratorium since 1992. The Kremlin emphasized that if the U.S. resumes nuclear tests, Russia would reciprocate, reflecting a precarious balance in global nuclear policy. This situation underscores the fragility of nuclear diplomacy, with both nations holding 90% of the world’s nuclear arsenal, raising significant concerns about future arms control efforts and the potential for an arms race.