Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that some countries are studying and even preparing to conduct nuclear tests, noting that Russia is aware of this and will respond in kind.

Putin said at a press conference today at the end of his visit to Tajikistan, according to the Russian Sputnik agency: “Some countries are considering conducting nuclear tests, and we are aware of that and will respond in kind.”

He added: “Some experts believe that we should conduct comprehensive nuclear weapons tests, and some countries are considering that, to our knowledge, and are even preparing for it. Therefore, I said that if they conduct tests, we will do the same.”

The Russian president confirmed that Russia’s nuclear deterrent is more advanced than that of other countries, adding: “The modernity of our nuclear deterrent is higher than the nuclear deterrent in any other country, and we are actively working on developing all of this.”

The Russian president arrived in Tajikistan last Wednesday for a three-day state visit. His agenda in Dushanbe included several activities as part of his official visit, in addition to participating in the second Russia-Central Asia summit and a meeting of the Council of Heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States.