Putin calls for changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, widening net for ‘aggressor’ states
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday presented proposed changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, saying a nuclear power supporting another state’s attack on his country should from now on be considered as participating in the aggression. Although Putin did not specifically say that such a scenario would trigger a Russian nuclear response, the doctrine spells out the conditions for which Russia can launch its nuclear weapons and could have implications for the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called for changes to rules on the use of Russia’s nuclear deterrent, a move that could affect Moscow’s approach to the current conflict in Ukraine.
In a televised meeting with security officials, Putin detailed proposed changes to the country’s nuclear doctrine, adding new criteria for launching a nuclear response.
“We see the modern military and political situation is dynamically changing and we must take this into consideration,” Putin said, citing “the emergence of new sources of military threats and risks for Russia and our allies”.
Putin outlined a potential update, saying that “it is proposed to consider aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear power, as their joint attack on Russia”.
This would seemingly apply to Ukraine, a non-nuclear state that receives military support from the United States and other nuclear-armed countries.
(AFP)
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