Putin escalates nuclear threats in response to Western involvement
- It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation, - said Vladimir Putin. He spoke about proposals to change the Russian nuclear doctrine during a Security Council meeting. This is not the first time the Russian leader has threatened the West with the use of nuclear weapons.
26 September 2024 06:11
Russian leader Vladimir Putin again threatened the West with the use of nuclear weapons on Wednesday. During a meeting of the Russian Security Council, he discussed proposals to change the Russian nuclear doctrine, which include, among other things, a nuclear response even to a conventional external attack.
The media's attention was especially drawn to the following sentence: - It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation, - said Putin.
This would therefore apply to situations where Ukraine, using weapons provided by, for example, the United States or the United Kingdom, would attack targets deep within Russian territory with missiles.
"Also conventional weapons"
According to Putin, the Kremlin could also consider using nuclear weapons if it detected the start of a massive launch of missiles or an aircraft or drone attack on Russian territory. - We will consider such a possibility when we receive reliable information about a massive launch of air and space attack assets and them crossing our state border, - he warned.
He added that "Russia reserved the right to also use nuclear weapons if it or ally Belarus were the subject of aggression, including by conventional weapons."
Putin emphasized that the proposals for changes in the nuclear doctrine have been carefully calibrated and are proportionate to Russia's contemporary military threats.
The Russian leader said this particularly concerns the emergence of new sources of threat and military risks for Russia and its allies.
Putin warned NATO
A few weeks ago, Putin warned that if the West allows Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles, it would mean that "NATO countries are at war with Russia." - This will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting Russia. And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us, - said Putin on September 12 in a video recording published on Telegram.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long called on the United States and other Western allies to agree that Ukrainian forces can use the long-range missiles provided to them to strike targets deep in Russia, to increase pressure on Moscow and force it to end the war.
Washington has so far refused to grant such permission, fearing an escalation that could lead to a direct conflict with Russia.
