President Vladimir Putin has authorised changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, outlining new circumstances under which the nation might contemplate deploying its nuclear arsenal.
The doctrine now stipulates that an assault from a non-nuclear nation, if supported by a nuclear power, will be regarded as a combined attack on Russia.
The changes, proposed in September, were formally approved on Tuesday, marking the 1,000th day of the ongoing war with Ukraine. It also followed the US decision on Monday to permit Ukraine to launch long-range US missiles into Russian territory.
According to the reports, a substantial attack on Russia with conventional missiles, drones, or aircraft could qualify for a nuclear retaliation, as could an assault on Belarus or any existential threat to Russia’s sovereignty. Moscow would perceive any act of aggression against Russia by a nation within a coalition as an act of aggression from the entire alliance.
The changes further broaden the scope of countries and coalitions, as well as the types of military threats that could lead to a potential nuclear response, according to the state-controlled news agency Tass. Putin has previously threatened the use of nuclear weapons, and Ukraine has condemned it as “nuclear sabre-rattling” intended to dissuade its allies from providing additional support.
In announcing the change, the Kremlin encouraged other nations to examine the adjustments. “This is a very important text,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked, according to Tass, adding, “it should become a subject to a very deep analysis.”
On Monday, Russia warned of “an appropriate and tangible” response to US President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to deploy ATACMS missiles against the country. Such an assault within Russian borders “would represent the direct involvement of the United States and its satellites in hostilities against Russia,” stated a foreign ministry communiqué.
Peskov noted on Tuesday that the new doctrine was published “in a timely manner” and that Putin had requested it be revised earlier this year to ensure it was “aligned with the current situation,” as reported by AP.
(BBC)
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