Trump says US will restart nuclear weapons tests, blames rivals’ actions after Xi meeting

close

Video

Trump rebukes Putin for nuclear missile test, says he should 'get the war ended'

President Donald Trump slammed Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, saying the leader should be pursuing peace in Ukraine rather than testing missiles.

President Donald Trump announced that he has ordered the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing "immediately," saying he directed the Department of War to match other nations’ programs. He called the move a necessary step to maintain global parity.

Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Wednesday night: "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office."

"Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years," Trump said. "Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately."

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after a high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Trump said it was a response to other nations’ recent actions.

TRUMP REPOSITIONS 2 NUCLEAR SUBMARINES AFTER 'HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE' RUSSIAN COMMENTS

President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Anchorage, Alaska. ( Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

"It had to do with others — they seemed to all be nuclear testing. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We don’t do testing. We halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also," Trump said.

Trump declined to provide details on where and when testing might take place when pressed for the information.

"It’ll be announced. You know, we have test sites. It’ll be announced," he said.

Trump also said he did not believe that resuming U.S. nuclear tests could make the global environment more dangerous.

"I don’t think so. I think we have it pretty well locked up," he said. "But we have more than anybody, and I see them testing. I say, well, they’re testing, we have to test too. I’d like to see a deneutralization … because we have so many. Russia’s second and China’s third. China will catch up within four or five years. I think de-escalation, or denuclearization, would be tremendous. We’re actually talking to Russia about that, and China would be added to that if we do something."

The announcement comes days after Trump warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that the U.S. has a nuclear submarine stationed "right off their shores." The warning followed Russia’s recent missile tests.

PUTIN HAILS SUCCESSFUL TEST OF NUCLEAR-POWERED UNDERWATER TORPEDO

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is test-fired as part of Russia's nuclear drills from a launch site in Plesetsk, northwestern Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File)

Trump made the comments during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday morning, saying the U.S. is "not playing games" with Putin.

"Russia said this week that they’ve tested a new missile that can go more than 8,000 miles. Is that saber-rattling for you? What is that?" a reporter asked.

"I know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores. So, I mean, it doesn’t have to go 8,000 miles, and they’re not playing games with us. We’re not playing games with them either," Trump responded.

"We test missiles all the time. But, you know, we do have a submarine, a nuclear submarine. We don’t need to go 8,000 miles. And I don’t think it’s an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying either, by the way. You ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its soon [to be] fourth year. That’s what you ought to do instead of testing missiles," he added.

TRUMP FREEZES OUT PUTIN FOR LACK OF ‘ENOUGH ACTION’ TOWARD PEACE — FUTURE TALKS UNCERTAIN

A Russian Iskander-K missile launched during a military exercise at a training ground in Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Trump later hinted he may impose additional sanctions on Russia, telling reporters simply, "You'll find out."

Russia’s defense ministry said Sunday it successfully tested a nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, claiming it can travel more than 8,000 miles and pierce defense systems. Putin said Russia is moving to deploy the weapon.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov, told Putin the missile traveled 8,700 miles and remained airborne for about 15 hours during its October 21 test.

Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom, Christina Shaw and Reuters contributed to this report.