Donald Trump has called for the US to greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear weapons capability.
Donald Trump has called for the US to greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear weapons capability.
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Despite long-term efforts by Washington to reduce its atomic arsenal, the President-elect tweeted such action was needed until the world comes to its senses regarding nuclear weapons.
The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2016
It’s not clear what prompted the comment, though it came only hours after Vladimir Putin had also called for Russia to strengthen its nuclear forces.
Insisting his country was capable of repelling any possible armed threat, the Russian President told military advisers at the Defence Ministry in Moscow:
“We are stronger now than any potential aggressor – anyone. I want to draw your attention to the fact that if we allowed ourselves to relax, the situation could change very quickly.”
There are estimated to be about 15,000 nuclear weapons in the world – most them are in the hands of the US and Russia.
Since the end of the Cold War, both countries have attempted to cut their stockpiles.