Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his top officials on Wednesday to draft proposals for a possible test of nuclear weapons, something Moscow has not done since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council at the Kremlin.

Ukraine is increasingly striking at energy and arms targets in Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia will consider resuming nuclear tests if the United States does so, convening a security council meeting after US President Donald Trump comments on testing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be represented at this month's G20 summit of major industrial and emerging economies in South Africa by Maxim Oreshkin, the deputy chief of staff of the presidential office.