Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said on the 22nd that if the US starts a nuclear test, Russia will respond on an equal footing. Ryabkov said at a seminar held at the Russian think tank Valdai International Debate Club on the same day that the US has yet to respond to Russia's core restrictions initiative to continue to abide by the provisions of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty after the expiration of the Treaty. Russia has prepared for the strategic situation that may occur after the Treaty expires, and at the same time is doing its best to avoid the worst. He also said that Russia “has no intention of attacking the European Union and NATO countries,” and “we are even ready to make legal regulations on this.”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said on the 22nd that if the US starts a nuclear test, Russia will respond on an equal footing. Ryabkov said at a seminar held at the Russian think tank Valdai International Debate Club on the same day that the US has yet to respond to Russia's core restrictions initiative to continue to abide by the provisions of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty after the expiration of the Treaty. Russia has prepared for the strategic situation that may occur after the Treaty expires, and at the same time is doing its best to avoid the worst. He also said that Russia “has no intention of attacking the European Union and NATO countries,” and “we are even ready to make legal regulations on this.”