On Monday, Russia conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile reported to be part of the nation’s nuclear-capable arsenal. According to US officials speaking to CNN, the missile was identified as a SARMAT, also known as Satan II by NATO, and classified as a “superweapon” by the Russian aerospace research agency. The US was alerted of the test through a de-confliction line, but it was determined that it did not pose any immediate threat to American soil. US officials believe the test failed since Russian President Vladimir Putin did not mention it in his State of the Nation address Tuesday.

The timing of the test is especially noteworthy given that Joe Biden was in Ukraine on the same day, visiting ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the former Soviet state. This led many to speculate that the test could be seen as a form of saber-rattling or even aggression towards the United States. However, US officials do not view it as an anomaly or escalation. This sentiment appears to be shared by Russian President Vladimir Putin who failed to mention anything related to this kind of testing during his State of Nation address on Tuesday.

Despite this conclusion, recent activities from Russia suggest that there may still be some tension between both countries and further escalations may occur. Last week for example, NORAD reported intercepting eight separate Russian fighter jets near Alaska in two different instances, each time sending US fighter jets and support craft in order to monitor them and make sure they remained outside American airspace.

In light of these various developments, it remains unclear how these events will continue unfolding and what further strategies both nations will take in order to protect their respective nations’ interests. However, since neither country has chosen an approach involving military action at this point in time, most experts believe that talks through diplomatic channels may eventually lead towards more amiable relations between both countries moving forward. But then again, we are talking about Joe Biden. He just is not mentally equipped to be taking on such a role with hundreds of millions of lives on the line.