Egypt Daily News – Russian President Vladimir Putin approved, by decree issued on Tuesday, the country’s updated nuclear doctrine.
The presidential decree stated that “with the aim of improving the Russian state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence,” I decide to adopt (a document) “The foundations of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence.”
The decree will enter into force as of the date of its signing today, November 19.
The updated Russian nuclear doctrine confirms that the state’s policy in the field of nuclear deterrence has a defensive nature, and that Russia is making all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat, views nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence, and considers their use a last resort measure.
The following are the most prominent provisions of the Russian nuclear doctrine:
-Deterring potential enemy aggression against Russia and its allies is one of the government’s top priorities.
-Aggression against Russia and its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state would be considered a joint attack.
-Russia’s willingness and determination to use nuclear weapons will ensure nuclear deterrence.
-Russia can use nuclear weapons in the event of a serious threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of itself and Belarus.
-One of the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons is the launching of ballistic missiles at Russia.
-Providing territory and resources for aggression against Russia is a basis for using nuclear deterrence against such a state.
-Aggression by any country of the military alliance against Russia or its allies is considered aggression by this alliance as a whole.
-Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies.
-The President of Russia is the one who makes the decision to use nuclear weapons and can, if necessary, inform other countries and international organizations about Russia’s readiness to use them and its decision taken in this regard, as well as the fact of the use of these weapons.
-Russia practices nuclear deterrence against a potential adversary, a concept that includes countries, blocs and alliances that consider Russia an adversary.
-The state policy on nuclear deterrence aims to maintain the potential of nuclear forces at a level sufficient for nuclear deterrence.
-Maintaining uncertainty for a potential adversary regarding the extent and location of nuclear weapons use is a principle of nuclear deterrence.
-Nuclear deterrence aims to ensure that a potential adversary is aware of the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against Russia.
-State policy in the field of nuclear deterrence in military conflict ensures the cessation of hostilities on terms acceptable to Russia.
-Maintaining the permanent readiness of the part of the nuclear deterrent forces designated for use is one of the principles of Russian nuclear deterrence.
-The deployment of missile defense systems in space by the enemy poses a danger that nuclear deterrence is used to neutralize.
-Centralizing control over nuclear forces, including those located outside Russian territory, is considered one of the principles of nuclear deterrence.
-Nuclear deterrence is ensured by the presence in the Russian Armed Forces of forces and means capable of inflicting unacceptable damage to the enemy using nuclear weapons.
Last September, Putin instructed the Russian Security Council to adapt the policy of nuclear deterrence to the new changes in the military and political situation, and proposed providing a number of clarifications regarding the conditions for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons.
Putin’s signing of the decree amending Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy comes two days after the news that US President Joe Biden allowed Kiev forces to launch strikes using long-range ATACMS missiles deep into Russian territory.
Commenting on the signing of the presidential decree on nuclear deterrence policy, the Kremlin said that modernizing Russian nuclear doctrine was necessary to bring it in line with the current political situation.
He added that the Russian Armed Forces are closely following reports about Kiev’s intention to use American-made ATACMS missiles, stressing that the West’s participation in the Ukrainian conflict will not affect the outcome of the special military operation, which will continue until it achieves its goals.
The Kremlin stressed that the signed document on the foundations of the state’s policy in the field of nuclear deterrence must be subject to in-depth analysis within Russia and at the international level.
