When asked if Russia could resume nuclear tests, Deputy Foreign Minister said, "Consider it in every way."

Officials say Russia is also considering the possibility of resuming nuclear tests after the collapse of the Soviet Union, with its recent revision of its nuclear doctrine easing its use conditions.

"This is an immediate issue," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Tas news agency when asked if there was a possibility of resuming nuclear tests in response to the U.S. hostile policy, according to Reuters on the 30th.

"I won't predict anything, but the situation is quite complicated," Ryabkov continued, adding, "The resumption of nuclear tests is being considered repeatedly in all factors and all aspects."

Russia has not conducted a nuclear test for more than 30 years since 1990, a year before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

But Putin withdrew ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) last year and has recently raised the level of nuclear threats to the West by lowering the threshold for nuclear use with a revision of the nuclear doctrine.