Russia updates nuclear doctrine in response to increased Western involvement in Ukraine

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskovannounced that Russia has completed an update to its nuclear doctrine, which is now in the process of becoming law.

According to Peskov, the changes are necessary due to the growing involvement of Western nuclear powers in the conflict in Ukraine.

During an interview published on Sunday with reporter Pavel ZarubinPeskov detailed that the changes in nuclear doctrine were proposed by the president Vladimir Putin.

The review considers aggression by any non-nuclear state, which has the support or participation of a nuclear state, as a joint attack that would justify a nuclear response.

This review aims to cover scenarios such as a possible Ukrainian attack on Russian territory with advanced weaponry supplied by the West, or a large-scale missile attack by Kiev against Russia or Belarus.

“The changes [na doutrina] are ready. Now they are being formalized,” said Peskov. He also commented on the policy of Western countries towards Ukraine, describing it as an “angry policy” that, according to him, could have negative consequences for everyone. Peskov emphasized the need for Russia to ‘canonize’ its stance against growing aggression.

The spokesman reiterated Russia’s stated intention to avoid a nuclear war, but said the country was prepared to use nuclear weapons if its national sovereignty was threatened.

The decision on the direct application of the doctrine and the timing for it would be the prerogative of the Russian military, according to Peskov.

This update to the doctrine comes in a context of heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations, which continue to support Ukraine in the protracted conflict, increasing the risk of escalation into a broader confrontation.