Putin to allow nuclear response in case of joint attack by non-nuclear and nuclear powers; Calls it ‘utmost measure of protection’

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to make bigger the scope of Russia’s nuclear weapon use, specifying that a nuclear response could be triggered no longer handiest by an instantaneous nuclear attack but additionally by a “massive” air attack on Russian territory. Additionally, Putin outlined that any assault by a non-nuclear nation, if supported by a nuclear power, may possibly be treated as a joint attack, potentially inviting a nuclear response.

This development reflects Russia’s adaptation to perceived emerging threats and seems to align with the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, though Putin did no longer explicitly mention Ukraine. The announcement coincides with Ukraine’s efforts to achieve Western approval to use long-range precision weaponry against Russia, which has been denied to date.

In a televised meeting with high-level officials, Putin detailed the proposed changes to the u . s . a .’s nuclear doctrine: the “utmost measure of protection of the u . s . a .’s sovereignty.”

“We see the trendy military and political situation is dynamically changing and we should take this into consideration,” Putin said, citing “the emergence of modern sources of military threats and risks for Russia and our allies.”

One of several brand new measures, “it truly is way proposed to have self belief aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state” when it be carried out “with the participation or strengthen of a nuclear power” as “their joint attack on Russia,” Putin said.

Владимир Путин внёс изменения в российскую ядерную доктрину — теперь нападение на РФ неядерного государства при поддержке ядерного будет считаться совместным нападением и предполагать возможность ядерного удара. Кроме того, в Кремле могут применить ядерное оружие и в том… p.c.twitter.com/V6DntwHdrH

— ЭХО (@echofm_online) September 25, 2024

The timing of this proposal coincides with Ukraine’s requests to Western allies for permission to deploy long-range precision weapons to strike deep inside of Russian territory — a request that has yet to be approved. The proposed changes, which Putin has the authority to implement, seek to safeguard Russia’s sovereignty in light of these emerging risks, according to a report in themoscowtimes.com.

Putin said that proposed changes “clearly set the conditions for Russia to transition to the usage of nuclear weapons.” “We'll be able to have self belief this sort of possibility when we receive reliable small print a couple of massive launch of air and space attack weapons and their crossing our state border,” the president added.

“I mean airplanes of strategic and tactical aviation, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic and other aircraft,” Putin said.

The president said the proposed changes also meant “we reserve the most effectiv to use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against Russia and Belarus,” Moscow’s close ally.

‘Vital threat’

He added that this included a situation wherein yet another state “the usage of conventional weapons, creates a essential threat to our sovereignty.”

The president said that Russia’s nuclear weapons were “the largest guarantee of security of our state and its citizens.”

“It’s important to foretell how the placement will develop and accordingly adapt the clauses of the document on strategic planning to current realities,” Putin said.

The proposed new doctrine has been prepared as a draft, while Putin needs to approve the text for it to enter force, TASS state news agency reported.

It was once the first time that Putin had held this sort of meeting in public, TASS reported.