Russia announces new nuclear weapons tests days after Trump-Putin summit

Russia is reportedly testing a range of new nuclear weapons and other military hardware including a high-powered laser, just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with President Trump for a one-on-one summit in Finland. 

The Associated Press reported on Thursday that Russia had tested weapons that range from the laser weapon system to a nuclear-powered cruise missile. The cruise missile is reported to have “unlimited” range. 

{mosads}On Thursday, the country’s Defense Ministry reportedly said that it had tested the Burevestnik cruise missile and is now preparing it for a flight test. 

“The program of the system’s pop-up tests has been completed with the positive results, which makes it possible to switch to preparations for the flight trials of the Sarmat missile complex,” the Defense Ministry said, according to Tass, a Russian news agency.

The AP also notes that military officials in Russia said the country is practicing how to utilize a Peresvet high-powered laser weapon system. It is also practicing trials of the Poseidon underwater nuclear drone.

The development comes after Trump and Putin concluded a high-stakes summit in Helsinki on Monday.

Trump has faced bipartisan criticism over his refusal to denounce Russia for interfering in the 2016 presidential election. 

But Trump and the White House have sought to walk back his remarks appearing to accept Putin’s denial. Trump told reporters that he misspoke, and added in a Wednesday interview with CBS that he holds Putin responsible.

Trump added Thursday that he wants to have a second meeting with Putin to implement things regarding topics they discussed, including nuclear proliferation. 

“I look forward to our second meeting so that we can start implementing some of the many things discussed, including stopping terrorism, security for Israel, nuclear proliferation, cyber attacks, trade, Ukraine, Middle East peace, North Korea and more. There are many answers, some easy and some hard, to these problems…but they can ALL be solved!” Trump said on Twitter.