Vladimir Putin has intensified his nuclear rhetoric, informing senior officials that Russia might resort to nuclear weapons if it were attacked by any country using conventional arms.
During a meeting with Russia’s security council on Wednesday, Putin also announced revisions to the nation’s nuclear doctrine, signaling a more aggressive stance.
This represents Russia’s most pointed warning to the West so far, cautioning against enabling Ukraine to carry out deep strikes within Russian territory using long-range Western missiles.
For months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been lobbying for permission to use British Storm Shadow missiles and US-made ATACMS to hit targets further inside Russia. Putin stated that Russia would contemplate nuclear action if it received “reliable information” of an imminent large-scale missile, aircraft, or drone attack.
He also cautioned that any nuclear-armed nation supporting an attack on Russia would be viewed as participating in aggression, subtly threatening the West as it debates allowing Ukraine access to long-range weapons.
Putin explained that the adjustments to the nuclear doctrine were deliberate and reflected the current military challenges facing Russia. “The military and political environment is evolving rapidly, and we must account for new sources of military threats and risks to Russia and our allies,” he said.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, dismissed Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, asserting, “Russia’s only tool for intimidating the world now is nuclear blackmail, but these tactics won’t succeed.”
Previously, some influential Russian foreign policy advocates urged Putin to adopt a more aggressive nuclear strategy to deter Western nations from providing further direct military support to Ukraine.
The current nuclear doctrine, outlined by Putin in June 2020, emphasizes using all available means to defend Russia.
During the early stages of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin frequently referenced Russia’s vast nuclear arsenal but has since softened his tone. However, officials close to him have recently warned NATO countries that they risk triggering nuclear conflict if they permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons.
Earlier this month, Putin stated that if such permission were granted, it would amount to the West engaging in direct combat with Russia, forcing Moscow to take “appropriate actions,” though he stopped short of specifying what those actions might entail.
