Horror nuclear war warning issued as Putin and Trump urged not to open ‘Pandora’s box’ | World | News
US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin were accused at Westminster of displaying “macho posturing” in the face of suggestions they could continue nuclear weapons testing; former senior officials warned this would “open a Pandora’s box”. Lord West of Spithead, who previously headed the Royal Navy and served as defense secretary, argued that the two world leaders’ recent comments were “incredibly dangerous”.
The Labor member warned that breaking the testing ban would mean everyone would be “much less safe”. Putin said Moscow would restart nuclear tests only if the United States does so first, but he instructed officials to work on proposals for carrying out such an exercise. The move came after Mr Trump signaled the US would resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would be on “an equal footing” with Russia and China.
However, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright later said the new tests would not involve nuclear explosions.
Mr. Trump made the announcement on social media days after Mr. Putin announced successful tests of a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable cruise missile and underwater drone.
The US military also regularly tests nuclear-capable weapons, but has not detonated atomic weapons since 1992.
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which the United States signed but did not ratify, has been implemented since its acceptance by all countries with nuclear weapons except North Korea.
Mr. Putin signed a law in 2023 withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the global agreement, which Moscow said was necessary to put it on the same footing as the United States.
Commenting on Mr Trump’s latest statement on nuclear weapons testing, Defense Secretary Lord Coaker told the House: “The UK has ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and continues to press for its entry into force. Having halted nuclear testing in 1991, we remain committed to our voluntary moratorium on nuclear test explosions.”
“U.S. nuclear testing policy is a matter for the U.S. government and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
In response, Lord West said: “It is easy to look at this as a form of playground bullying by President Trump, who clearly does not understand the implications of the distribution system trials that Putin is running, or what they mean.
“After making this statement, President Putin wanted to show how resilient he was and made a statement that he would be tested again. It would probably be quite fun if it wasn’t so dangerous.”
“The comprehensive test ban treaty is one of the few treaties on nuclear weapons still in force. Many have fallen by the wayside. So we are less safe than before.”
“If the comprehensive testing ban agreement is broken, it opens a Pandora’s box. We will all be much less safe. This is extremely worrying.”
He called on the government to publicly state its support for the US testing ban.
Lord Coaker said: “The comprehensive test ban agreement is a truly successful agreement and we continue to do all we can to ensure it is as effective as it is in as many states as possible. We look forward to everyone who has signed it ratifying it in due course.”
Liberal Democrat Lord Bruce of Bennachie said: “In a world beset by conflict, a credible nuclear deterrent is non-negotiable, but the macho posturing of US and Russian leaders is a worrying development that is undermining the nuclear non-proliferation agreement.”
He added: “A nuclear war cannot and should not be won.”
Lord Coaker said: “Part of having a nuclear deterrent is to deter war, to deter aggression.
“A restatement of deterrence policy is consistent with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty that allows the UK to acquire weapons.”
