Putin orders changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine
The president has suggested several new criteria that would merit a nuclear response | Russia should update its nuclear doctrine to clearly define circumstances that could prompt Moscow to launch a nuclear strike, President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of the national security council on Wednesday. He also suggested an expanded list of threats that would include “reliable information” of a major airstrike being launched against Russia. ● The list of criteria that would justify Russia's use of its nuclear deterrent should be expanded in the updated version of the doctrine, Putin told the meeting.
💬 “Aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state… supported by a nuclear power should be treated as their joint attack,” the president said.
Moscow would also “consider” resorting to a nuclear response if it gets “reliable information” about a “massive” missile or air strike launched by another state against Russia, or its closest ally, Belarus, according to Putin. The weapons used in an enemy’s potential strike could include anything from ballistic or cruise missiles to strategic aircraft and drones, he stated.
■ Putin: Russia Reserves Right to Use Nuclear Weapons in Response to Critical Threats (Sputnik News) | The Russian President noted that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against Russia and Belarus.
💬 "We reserve the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against Russia and Belarus, as a member of the Union State. All these issues have been agreed upon with the Belarusian side, with the President of Belarus, including if the enemy, using conventional weapons, creates a critical threat to our sovereignty," Putin said at the meeting.