Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has recently announced a revision to Moscow’s nuclear doctrine, stating that a conventional attack by a non-nuclear nation with the support of a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on Russia. This change, discussed at a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, is seen as a warning to the West against supporting Ukraine’s use of longer-range weapons.
The revised nuclear doctrine appears to lower the threshold for the potential use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal in response to what Putin described as a “critical threat to our sovereignty.” This vague statement leaves room for interpretation, but it indicates Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons in certain situations.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, with the Kremlin making slow gains, Putin’s warning aimed at discouraging stronger Western support for Kyiv by implying that such support could lead to war between Russia and NATO. The revised doctrine makes it clear that Russia could use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack posing a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
Russia’s hawks have long criticized the current doctrine as too vague and weak, arguing that it has failed to deter Western support for Ukraine. The new formulation broadens the triggers for possible nuclear weapons use, compared to the existing version, which only allows for a response in the event of ballistic missiles targeting Russia or its allies.
Overall, the revised nuclear doctrine signals Russia’s willingness to use nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats, with the goal of deterring Western support for Ukraine and maintaining Moscow’s strategic interests in the region.
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