Terming statement of US President Donald Trump that Washington would resume nuclear testing as ‘a serious issue’, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday asked top officials to draft proposals for possible test of nuclear weapons.

However, Putin also noted that Russia has no plans to violate existing agreements on nuclear testing.

Moscow would “take appropriate retaliatory measures” if the US or another power conducted such a test, he said.

Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said Russia's Arctic testing site at Novaya Zemlya could host such tests at short notice.

In October, Russia tested nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which is designed to carry a nuclear warhead. It also held nuclear launch drills and tested a nuclear-powered Poseidon super-torpedo. Also Read |

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