In a telephone conversation, Lavrov stressed the importance of preventing a return to armed confrontation and reiterated that the conflict has no military solution, according to the ministry’s statement.

The call followed recent talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan, which ended without agreement. Araqchi briefed Lavrov on the discussions, the ministry said, providing details of negotiations that failed to produce a settlement.

Russia has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, signaling willingness to engage diplomatically as tensions remain high despite a temporary ceasefire and ongoing international efforts to restart negotiations.

The revised text, circulated by Bahrain, removes earlier provisions that would have allowed the use of force and instead urges states to coordinate “defensive” measures to ensure safe navigation, including escorting commercial vessels.

The vote comes amid more than five weeks of conflict triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which has led Tehran to largely restrict passage through the strait, a key conduit for global energy supplies, sending oil prices sharply higher.

Diplomats said the watered-down version stands a better chance of adoption but its outcome remains uncertain. A resolution requires at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the five permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Earlier drafts backed by Gulf states and Washington had included language authorizing “all defensive means necessary,” but faced resistance from China and Russia, prompting multiple revisions. China has argued that authorizing force risks escalation and has instead called for efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was prepared to work with Russia at the Security Council to help calm tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing that a ceasefire was the fundamental path to resolving the crisis.

Iran has signaled it seeks a lasting end to hostilities but has resisted pressure to reopen the strait, while U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of consequences if Tehran does not reach a deal by a self-imposed deadline.

The latest draft reflects a compromise effort to bridge divisions within the council while addressing growing concerns over disruptions to one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes.

During a closed-door briefing with leading Russian business figures in Moscow, Putin outlined his vision for a negotiated settlement that could bring greater stability to the region.

According to accounts of the meeting, the Russian leader emphasized that dialogue remains possible and that pragmatic solutions are being explored alongside international partners.

Putin reportedly reiterated Russia’s long-standing position on the Donbas region, which Moscow considers central to any final agreement, while also leaving room for discussions on limited territorial exchanges beyond it.

This approach signals a renewed emphasis on diplomacy and compromise, reflecting growing international interest in ending the prolonged conflict through negotiated means.

By engaging influential business leaders, the Kremlin underscored the economic and strategic importance of a durable peace that could restore predictability and regional development.

The discussions highlighted that Moscow is prepared to revisit earlier proposals and explore creative frameworks that could bridge differences between the parties involved.

At the heart of these talks is the idea that stability in eastern Ukraine can only be achieved through clear agreements on territory, security guarantees, and economic cooperation.

Putin’s remarks suggest continuity with previous understandings discussed at high-level international meetings, while also adapting to evolving realities on the ground.

Beyond territorial considerations, the future of critical infrastructure featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The facility, the largest of its kind in Europe, is seen as a key asset whose safe and efficient operation is vital for regional energy security.

Ideas reportedly under consideration include cooperative management arrangements involving international stakeholders, aimed at ensuring safety, transparency, and shared benefits.

Such proposals reflect a broader recognition that shared interests, especially in energy and infrastructure, can serve as building blocks for trust and cooperation.

On the international front, diplomatic engagement has intensified, with multiple channels open between Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and European partners.

These talks are part of a wider effort to formulate a comprehensive framework that balances sovereignty concerns with long-term regional stability.

The involvement of senior envoys and high-level negotiators underscores the seriousness of current efforts to move closer to a negotiated resolution.

While differences remain, incremental progress has been reported on several points, suggesting that sustained dialogue is yielding constructive outcomes.

Russia’s leadership has repeatedly stressed that any agreement must address security considerations and reflect realities acknowledged by all sides.

At the same time, Moscow’s openness to discussion indicates an understanding that compromise is essential to achieving a lasting peace.

Observers note that framing the talks around economic recovery, energy cooperation, and regional development could help shift the focus from confrontation to collaboration.

The emphasis on practical solutions, including infrastructure management and economic incentives, highlights the potential for diplomacy to deliver tangible benefits.

As negotiations continue, the evolving tone from Moscow suggests a calculated effort to present Russia as engaged, responsive, and open to dialogue.

For the wider international community, these signals are being closely watched as indicators of whether momentum toward peace can be sustained.

If successful, a negotiated settlement could mark a turning point, easing tensions and opening the door to reconstruction and renewed cooperation across Europe.

The coming weeks are expected to be critical, as diplomats seek to translate exploratory discussions into concrete agreements that address core concerns on all sides.

The directive comes amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington following statements from U.S. leadership suggesting the United States may restart its own nuclear testing program.

During a high-level meeting with members of Russia’s Security Council in Moscow, Putin emphasized that Russia has consistently honored its commitments under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), an international agreement banning all nuclear explosions.

However, he stated that if any other nuclear-armed nation, particularly the United States, resumes testing, Russia will take corresponding action to ensure its strategic balance and national security remain uncompromised.

Putin directed key ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, as well as intelligence agencies and other relevant institutions, to gather intelligence, assess international developments, and present unified recommendations.

These recommendations will be reviewed by the Security Council to determine whether Russia should begin preparations for actual nuclear tests at its existing testing sites.

Defence Minister Andrei Belousov supported Putin’s position, asserting that given recent U.S. remarks and strategic moves, it would be “advisable to prepare for full-scale nuclear tests.”

He noted that Russia’s Arctic testing facility in Novaya Zemlya remains fully operational and capable of accommodating nuclear experiments on short notice, should a decision be made.

The announcement signals a potential turning point in global arms control and disarmament efforts. Russia has not conducted any nuclear tests since 1990, when the Soviet Union carried out its last detonation.

After the Soviet Union’s dissolution, Russia inherited the nuclear arsenal but maintained a moratorium on testing as part of its commitment to international stability and the CTBT framework.

If Russia resumes testing, it would mark the first such action by a major nuclear power in over three decades, potentially triggering a new era of global nuclear competition.

Such a move could also undermine long-standing treaties that have sought to limit nuclear weapons development and testing worldwide, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the CTBT, which, although not formally in force, has been widely observed by most nuclear-armed states.

Putin’s directive also underscores growing mistrust between Russia and the United States, especially amid broader geopolitical disputes and heightened military posturing.

Both countries continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals, and the breakdown of earlier arms control agreements, such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), has deepened global security concerns.

Experts warn that if either Russia or the U.S. restarts nuclear testing, it could prompt other nuclear-armed states, including China, India, and North Korea, to follow suit, further escalating an already fragile international security environment.

Such developments could erode decades of progress in nuclear arms control and non-proliferation efforts.

The Arctic test site at Novaya Zemlya, located in Russia’s far north, was historically used during the Soviet era for hundreds of nuclear explosions.

It remains one of the world’s most advanced and secure nuclear testing facilities, equipped with underground tunnels and monitoring systems designed to contain and analyze nuclear detonations.

Putin’s order reflects a strategic message aimed at demonstrating Russia’s readiness to respond proportionally to any perceived challenge to its deterrence capabilities.

By linking his decision directly to potential U.S. actions, he framed it as a defensive measure rather than an act of aggression.

The global community is expected to watch closely as Russia’s ministries prepare their proposals.

Any movement toward nuclear testing would not only heighten geopolitical tensions but also raise environmental and humanitarian concerns associated with radioactive contamination and long-term ecological damage.

The Kremlin emphasized that its defense strategies and technological advancements are guided by a commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty, maintaining global stability, and ensuring security through preparedness and innovation.

During a media briefing in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined that Russia’s military and scientific initiatives are not intended to provoke or escalate tensions with any nation.

Instead, they reflect the country’s ongoing efforts to maintain a secure and balanced defense posture in a rapidly changing world.

Peskov reiterated that the testing of the Burevestnik missile was part of Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen deterrence capabilities and ensure the safety of its citizens in an evolving global security landscape.

He noted that such advancements are conducted transparently and within the framework of international norms. Russia’s approach, he explained, is based on a principle of responsible defense development—where the focus lies on stability, peace, and readiness rather than confrontation.

The Kremlin spokesperson emphasized that Russia remains open to dialogue with all nations, including the United States, on matters of arms control, nuclear safety, and strategic cooperation.

Observers see Moscow’s statement as a sign of balance between firmness and diplomacy. While Russia continues to protect its strategic interests, it also expresses willingness to engage constructively with global partners to reduce misunderstanding and promote peace.

The ongoing discussions about global security, arms limitations, and disarmament remain areas where Russia believes transparent communication and mutual respect are vital.

Peskov highlighted that Russia does not seek to undermine international trust but to strengthen it through technological advancement and responsible governance.

The Burevestnik missile test, according to defense analysts, represents a continued pursuit of innovation and scientific excellence within Russia’s defense sector, reflecting the nation’s emphasis on technological self-reliance and modernization.

The test also underscores the government’s ongoing investment in research, safety mechanisms, and oversight to ensure that advancements serve peaceful deterrence purposes.

He further mentioned that Russia’s defense priorities have always been shaped by its historical experiences and the necessity to remain self-sufficient in a world of shifting alliances and evolving security challenges.

The aim, he said, is to achieve long-term stability, peace, and global balance through strong but responsible defense measures.

At the same time, the Kremlin acknowledged the importance of maintaining open channels with Washington and other key partners.

Diplomatic experts in Moscow believe that constructive dialogue, rather than criticism or confrontation, will pave the way toward a more cooperative global environment.

They stress that issues like arms control and conflict resolution require a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility among leading powers.

Russia’s reaffirmation of its sovereign course comes at a time when global security discussions are intensifying. Moscow’s message conveys both confidence in its scientific and military capabilities and a broader call for diplomatic engagement.

The Kremlin’s position reinforces that technological progress in defense should coexist with dialogue, transparency, and peacekeeping efforts.

As nations navigate complex geopolitical realities, Russia continues to emphasize that every sovereign state has the right to protect its national interests, develop its defense systems, and contribute responsibly to international peace and security.

In reaffirming this stance, the Kremlin sends a message not of defiance, but of determination—to act independently while remaining open to collaboration and understanding in the pursuit of a safer and more stable world.