Nuclear arms race underway? Putin aide responds after US tests ‘Minuteman III’ icbm | Trump | Russia

On November 5, 2025, the U.S. Air Force successfully test-launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California—a routine assessment of reliability and readiness. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia was notified in advance, noting the missile’s “launch identification” is standard protocol for strategic-class projectiles. Peskov reiterated Russia is not participating in an arms race and remains committed to nuclear test restraint, despite Moscow’s 2023 withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty ratification. The move follows President Trump’s new call to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing and allegations that Russia and China are covertly violating test bans.