In a recent Security Council meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, including considering joint attacks by non-nuclear states and nuclear states as aggression against Russia. These changes also allow for the use of nuclear weapons if conventional weapons pose a critical threat. The new draft doctrine expands the list of countries and military threats that could trigger a nuclear response. While the specific details of the changes were not disclosed, Putin emphasized the importance of Russia’s nuclear “triad” for security. Despite criticism from the Presidential Office’s Andriy Yermak, who called it “nuclear blackmail,” the Russian government did not specify the timeline for implementing these changes. Previous doctrines already allowed for the deployment of nuclear weapons in response to threats against Russia or its allies, highlighting the seriousness of the country’s nuclear capabilities. Reports from the Financial Times suggest a lower threshold for Russia’s tactical nuclear weapon use than previously claimed, raising concerns about escalation and deterrence tactics. The proposed changes have sparked debate over whether Russia’s nuclear doctrine represents saber-rattling or a genuine threat.
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Putin proposes changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine
