Egypt Daily News – Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated his rhetoric regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from the West, particularly concerning conventional missile strikes against Russia.
During a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin indicated that Russia is amending its nuclear doctrine to address a shifting global landscape, citing new threats posed by increasing Western military support for Ukraine.
One of the key changes announced by Putin is that Russia will consider any aggression against it—particularly by non-nuclear states, if backed by nuclear powers—a joint attack on the Russian Federation.
This marks a significant adjustment in how Russia defines threats, with Putin asserting that the conditions under which Russia might use nuclear weapons are now “clearly defined.” He specified that a massive launch of missiles, aircraft, or drones towards Russian territory could trigger a nuclear response.
In addition to the immediate response to missile attacks, the new doctrine extends Russia’s nuclear umbrella to include Belarus, its ally, and expands the types of threats that could justify a nuclear strike.
This move appears to be a strategic attempt to deter Ukraine and its supporters from escalating the conflict through conventional military means.
Putin emphasized that work on these amendments has been in progress for about a year, reflecting what he describes as the importance of nuclear weapons for the security of Russia and the balance of power in the world.
The current nuclear doctrine, established by a decree in 2020, already outlined scenarios in which Russia would employ nuclear arms, including in the event of a nuclear strike against it or a conventional attack that threatens its existence.
These developments come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pressuring Western allies to provide long-range missile capabilities to counteract Russian aggression, highlighting the ongoing tensions and the complexities of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
