Putin revises nuclear doctrine amid rising tensions with NATO

In Russia, amendments to the nuclear doctrine have been prepared and will be legally formalized in the near future, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated. He emphasized that the evolving situation in Ukraine necessitated a change in the doctrine.

As reported on the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" by the Russian President's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, the doctrine and assumptions of the state's policy in the field of nuclear deterrence must be adjusted, considering the "escalation of tension."

"In essence, nuclear powers have started to participate in the conflict on the side of Ukraine," he remarked.

According to Peskov, the military will determine whether the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons have been met.

"It is the privilege of our specialists, our military. They closely monitor what kind of weapons and how they are used. They note the direct involvement of the countries of the collective West in the conflict around Ukraine and do not intend to relax their attention," he said.

Putin announced amendments to the doctrine at the end of September during a meeting of the Security Council. Specifically, he proposed that aggression by any "non-nuclear" state, with the involvement or support of a "nuclear" state, be recognized as a joint attack on the country.

Conditions for the use of nuclear weapons also include a massive air attack using non-nuclear means, such as drones.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia's plans "irresponsible." In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg regarded these actions as an attempt to intimidate Ukraine and the North Atlantic Alliance.