The launch of the Burevestnik missile has sent shockwaves through the West – Trump: “We don’t need 8,000-mile-range missiles, we have a nuclear submarine off Russia’s coast.”
Donald Trump may want to project that Russia should not “play games” with him, yet all indications show he is deeply unsettled by the chain of developments Vladimir Putin has unleashed against the United States and the West at large.
On October 27, 2025, Russia officially terminated its bilateral agreement with the United States on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium.
This move further deepens the erosion of the arms-control framework between the two nuclear superpowers, as approval came from the Russian Parliament on October 8, when Moscow denounced the 2000 Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA).
That deal obligated both Russia and the United States to dispose of 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium each — material considered surplus to defense requirements.
This latest, highly symbolic step upends strategic stability, coming just days after the test launch of the invincible Burevestnik missile — a clear signal across the Atlantic that the U.S. should not feel especially secure simply because of the ocean’s breadth.
What this means for Russia
The official cancellation of the plutonium agreement means that the 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium Russia was meant to render unusable for military purposes may now be redirected into its weapons stockpile.
As noted in the explanatory memorandum of the Duma, any further obligations related to this material are considered “ineffective.”
It should not be overlooked that Russia remained the leading supplier of enriched uranium to the United States in 2024, providing 20% of the fuel used in American nuclear reactors — despite Washington’s official import ban signed in May.
However, exemptions remain in place allowing deliveries until 2028, in cases of national interest or lack of viable alternatives.
What the agreement entailed
The 2000 agreement dealt with the destruction of weapons-grade plutonium used for building nuclear arms.
Both the U.S. and Russia had agreed to remove this material from their strategic nuclear stockpiles, aiming to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and strengthen global security.
Under the agreement, the plutonium was to be destroyed through safe means — for example, blending it into nuclear fuel for civilian power reactors or through other processes rendering it unusable for weapons purposes.
In 2016, Putin had already suspended the agreement via presidential decree.
Moscow stated at the time that it would cease compliance due to changes in the global political and strategic environment, as well as Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine crisis and other geopolitical factors — including NATO’s eastward expansion.
Material for nuclear weapons
One direct consequence of this decision is that Russia can now use the available plutonium to develop new nuclear warheads in the future.
The move also carries political ramifications, intensifying tensions with the U.S. and the West as Moscow definitively abandons a key arms-control pact.
In effect, the end of the agreement may alter the global strategic balance, undermining efforts to curb nuclear proliferation and prevent a new arms race.
In short, it is a step backward in nuclear reduction efforts — and one that could further heighten instability in international security.
Ryabkov (Russian Deputy FM): Russia fully complies with bilateral missile launch agreements
Russia is strictly adhering to the provisions of its bilateral agreements with the United States regarding ballistic missile launches and strategic exercises, said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.
“We act in full compliance with the provisions of two key agreements that for decades have helped maintain strategic stability.
The first is the accord on mutual notification of ballistic missile launches, and the second concerns notification of major strategic exercises.
The details are well known to experts, and I can assure you that we are not deviating from the requirements of these two documents,” Ryabkov stated.
He was responding to a question on whether Russia had informed the U.S. that the new Burevestnik missile would be involved in the ongoing strategic nuclear forces exercises.
Peskov (Russia): Burevestnik tests should not harm U.S.-Russia relations
The tests of the Burevestnik missile should in no way harm relations between Moscow and Washington, which are already at a minimum, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
“There is nothing here that could or should ‘damage’ our relations any further — they are already at their lowest point,” Peskov said, noting that “only the first, cautious attempts to move beyond this previous paralysis are now beginning to appear.”
Commenting on Trump’s remarks about U.S. nuclear submarines near Russia’s coasts as a countermeasure to the Burevestnik, Peskov said that this was “the American president’s viewpoint, and it is an important one.”
He declined to disclose details of the U.S. proposal on resolving the Ukraine issue, presented during the Alaska summit, nor did he comment on whether it aligns with Russia’s security guarantees and the Istanbul agreements.
“No, I could not reveal that,” Peskov emphasized, adding that Russia, in re-establishing dialogue with the U.S., “acts solely on the basis of its own national interests.”
“Despite our openness to restoring dialogue with the United States, Russia — and the Russian president — are guided first and foremost by national interests. That was true in the past, it is true now, and it will remain true in the future,” he stressed.
Peskov underscored that ensuring Russia’s security remains paramount, and the development of the Burevestnik fits squarely within that objective.
“Guaranteeing Russia’s security is of vital importance, especially amid the militarization and internal hysteria in Europe.
Europeans are in a state of internal hysteria — Russophobic, aggressive, and warlike.
In this context, Russia must do everything to ensure its security is fully guaranteed,” Peskov concluded.
Trump on Burevestnik: “They don’t play games with us, and we don’t play with them”
U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to questions about Russia’s successful tests of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range, stated that “Russia and the U.S. don’t play games with each other.”
“They don’t play games with us, and we don’t play games with them,” Trump said while speaking to reporters aboard his plane en route to Japan.
Trump asserted that the U.S. does not need to develop long-range missiles because, as he put it, America’s “best-in-the-world nuclear submarine force” is already positioned off Russia’s coast.
“They know in Russia that our world’s largest nuclear submarine is right off their shores,” Trump declared, calling Russian statements about the Burevestnik tests “inappropriate.”
At the same time, Trump expressed confidence that the war in Ukraine would be “the ninth conflict I settle.”
“I’ve settled eight wars; the ninth is ongoing. I think this one will be the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said.
When asked whether the EU should use frozen Russian assets to fund military aid for Ukraine, Trump replied: “You’ll have to ask the EU. I’m not involved in that.”
Regarding possible new sanctions against Russia, Trump told reporters they would find out “in due time.”
“You’ll find out,” he said when asked whether he was considering additional sanctions.
Kartapolov (Russia): The West fears not just our weapons – It fears Russia itself
The West fears not merely specific Russian weapons systems, but Russia as a whole, claimed Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Russian State Duma’s Defense Committee.
“What terrifies them most is Russia itself — and within Russia, we have the Oreshnik, the Burevestnik, the Yars, the Topol, the Bulava, and everything else,” Kartapolov said, responding to a question about which Russian weapon the West fears most.
He argued that European leaders lack proper intelligence and therefore know “nothing about the Burevestnik,” simply echoing what the United States tells them.
“Trump has intelligence services that provide him with the necessary information, enabling him to draw his own conclusions,” Kartapolov said.
“The so-called European leaders have none of that. They’re incapable of doing anything beyond parroting the narratives coming from U.S. embassies.
As for the Burevestnik — they know nothing, they understand nothing. When they finally do, it may already be too late,” he warned.
Times of India: “Russia will never bow to the West over Ukraine”
The remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Burevestnik were a warning to Western nations, according to the Times of India.
“The timing of the tests and Putin’s statements during his meeting with commanders involved in the Special Military Operation are seen as a warning to the West,” the paper noted.
The report added that the tests send a clear message: Russia will never yield to Western pressure regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
www.bankingnews.gr
On October 27, 2025, Russia officially terminated its bilateral agreement with the United States on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium.
This move further deepens the erosion of the arms-control framework between the two nuclear superpowers, as approval came from the Russian Parliament on October 8, when Moscow denounced the 2000 Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement (PMDA).
That deal obligated both Russia and the United States to dispose of 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium each — material considered surplus to defense requirements.
This latest, highly symbolic step upends strategic stability, coming just days after the test launch of the invincible Burevestnik missile — a clear signal across the Atlantic that the U.S. should not feel especially secure simply because of the ocean’s breadth.
What this means for Russia
The official cancellation of the plutonium agreement means that the 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium Russia was meant to render unusable for military purposes may now be redirected into its weapons stockpile.
As noted in the explanatory memorandum of the Duma, any further obligations related to this material are considered “ineffective.”
It should not be overlooked that Russia remained the leading supplier of enriched uranium to the United States in 2024, providing 20% of the fuel used in American nuclear reactors — despite Washington’s official import ban signed in May.
However, exemptions remain in place allowing deliveries until 2028, in cases of national interest or lack of viable alternatives.
What the agreement entailed
The 2000 agreement dealt with the destruction of weapons-grade plutonium used for building nuclear arms.
Both the U.S. and Russia had agreed to remove this material from their strategic nuclear stockpiles, aiming to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and strengthen global security.
Under the agreement, the plutonium was to be destroyed through safe means — for example, blending it into nuclear fuel for civilian power reactors or through other processes rendering it unusable for weapons purposes.
In 2016, Putin had already suspended the agreement via presidential decree.
Moscow stated at the time that it would cease compliance due to changes in the global political and strategic environment, as well as Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine crisis and other geopolitical factors — including NATO’s eastward expansion.
Material for nuclear weapons
One direct consequence of this decision is that Russia can now use the available plutonium to develop new nuclear warheads in the future.
The move also carries political ramifications, intensifying tensions with the U.S. and the West as Moscow definitively abandons a key arms-control pact.
In effect, the end of the agreement may alter the global strategic balance, undermining efforts to curb nuclear proliferation and prevent a new arms race.
In short, it is a step backward in nuclear reduction efforts — and one that could further heighten instability in international security.
Ryabkov (Russian Deputy FM): Russia fully complies with bilateral missile launch agreements
Russia is strictly adhering to the provisions of its bilateral agreements with the United States regarding ballistic missile launches and strategic exercises, said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.
“We act in full compliance with the provisions of two key agreements that for decades have helped maintain strategic stability.
The first is the accord on mutual notification of ballistic missile launches, and the second concerns notification of major strategic exercises.
The details are well known to experts, and I can assure you that we are not deviating from the requirements of these two documents,” Ryabkov stated.
He was responding to a question on whether Russia had informed the U.S. that the new Burevestnik missile would be involved in the ongoing strategic nuclear forces exercises.
Peskov (Russia): Burevestnik tests should not harm U.S.-Russia relations
The tests of the Burevestnik missile should in no way harm relations between Moscow and Washington, which are already at a minimum, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
“There is nothing here that could or should ‘damage’ our relations any further — they are already at their lowest point,” Peskov said, noting that “only the first, cautious attempts to move beyond this previous paralysis are now beginning to appear.”
Commenting on Trump’s remarks about U.S. nuclear submarines near Russia’s coasts as a countermeasure to the Burevestnik, Peskov said that this was “the American president’s viewpoint, and it is an important one.”
He declined to disclose details of the U.S. proposal on resolving the Ukraine issue, presented during the Alaska summit, nor did he comment on whether it aligns with Russia’s security guarantees and the Istanbul agreements.
“No, I could not reveal that,” Peskov emphasized, adding that Russia, in re-establishing dialogue with the U.S., “acts solely on the basis of its own national interests.”
“Despite our openness to restoring dialogue with the United States, Russia — and the Russian president — are guided first and foremost by national interests. That was true in the past, it is true now, and it will remain true in the future,” he stressed.
Peskov underscored that ensuring Russia’s security remains paramount, and the development of the Burevestnik fits squarely within that objective.
“Guaranteeing Russia’s security is of vital importance, especially amid the militarization and internal hysteria in Europe.
Europeans are in a state of internal hysteria — Russophobic, aggressive, and warlike.
In this context, Russia must do everything to ensure its security is fully guaranteed,” Peskov concluded.
Trump on Burevestnik: “They don’t play games with us, and we don’t play with them”
U.S. President Donald Trump, responding to questions about Russia’s successful tests of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range, stated that “Russia and the U.S. don’t play games with each other.”
“They don’t play games with us, and we don’t play games with them,” Trump said while speaking to reporters aboard his plane en route to Japan.
Trump asserted that the U.S. does not need to develop long-range missiles because, as he put it, America’s “best-in-the-world nuclear submarine force” is already positioned off Russia’s coast.
“They know in Russia that our world’s largest nuclear submarine is right off their shores,” Trump declared, calling Russian statements about the Burevestnik tests “inappropriate.”
At the same time, Trump expressed confidence that the war in Ukraine would be “the ninth conflict I settle.”
“I’ve settled eight wars; the ninth is ongoing. I think this one will be the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump said.
When asked whether the EU should use frozen Russian assets to fund military aid for Ukraine, Trump replied: “You’ll have to ask the EU. I’m not involved in that.”
Regarding possible new sanctions against Russia, Trump told reporters they would find out “in due time.”
“You’ll find out,” he said when asked whether he was considering additional sanctions.
Kartapolov (Russia): The West fears not just our weapons – It fears Russia itself
The West fears not merely specific Russian weapons systems, but Russia as a whole, claimed Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Russian State Duma’s Defense Committee.
“What terrifies them most is Russia itself — and within Russia, we have the Oreshnik, the Burevestnik, the Yars, the Topol, the Bulava, and everything else,” Kartapolov said, responding to a question about which Russian weapon the West fears most.
He argued that European leaders lack proper intelligence and therefore know “nothing about the Burevestnik,” simply echoing what the United States tells them.
“Trump has intelligence services that provide him with the necessary information, enabling him to draw his own conclusions,” Kartapolov said.
“The so-called European leaders have none of that. They’re incapable of doing anything beyond parroting the narratives coming from U.S. embassies.
As for the Burevestnik — they know nothing, they understand nothing. When they finally do, it may already be too late,” he warned.
Times of India: “Russia will never bow to the West over Ukraine”
The remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Burevestnik were a warning to Western nations, according to the Times of India.
“The timing of the tests and Putin’s statements during his meeting with commanders involved in the Special Military Operation are seen as a warning to the West,” the paper noted.
The report added that the tests send a clear message: Russia will never yield to Western pressure regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών