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Amid tensions with the West.. Putin hints at expanding nuclear deterrence scope
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Putin's statements reflect escalating tension between Russia and the West, which could lead to a radical change in global power balances and increase the risks of nuclear confrontation
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared today, Wednesday, that there are proposed "clarifications" regarding his country's doctrine for using nuclear weapons, a threat he has repeatedly made since the conflict in Ukraine began.
During a televised meeting with his advisors, Putin indicated the possibility of Russia resorting to the use of nuclear weapons if attacked by any country, adding that any conventional aggression against it supported by a nuclear power would be considered a joint attack.
Putin explained: "It has been proposed to consider an attack by a non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, aggression against Russia, as a joint attack on the Russian Federation," in a clear allusion to Ukraine. He also emphasized that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in case of aggression against it and Belarus as well.
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Putin revealed that Russia will study the "possibility" of using nuclear weapons in case of "intensive launching" of aircraft, missiles, or drones on its territory, at a time when Kyiv is seeking to convince the West to allow the use of long-range missiles in the context of the conflict with Moscow.
Putin added: "We will consider such a possibility if we receive reliable information about the intensive launching of air attack means and their crossing of our state borders. I'm referring to strategic and tactical aviation, cruise missiles, drones, supersonic aircraft, and other aircraft."
Putin's statements came while chairing a meeting of the Russian Security Council today on nuclear deterrence as Moscow considers how to respond to Ukraine's demands that the United States allow it to strike deep into Russian territory with Western long-range missiles.
Putin, who holds the main decision regarding Russia's vast nuclear arsenal, is deliberating how to respond if Washington and its European allies agree to allow Ukraine to use Western-supplied missiles to strike deep into Russia.
The Russian President announced on September 12 that if the West granted such permission to Kyiv, it would have engaged in direct combat against Russia, which would be forced to take "appropriate decisions."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Kyiv's allies for months to agree to launch Western missiles, such as American long-range ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles, deep into Russian territory to limit Moscow's ability to launch attacks.
Russia is considered the world's largest nuclear power. Along with the United States, they dominate 88% of the world's nuclear warheads.
Russia is currently reviewing its nuclear doctrine, which defines the circumstances under which it might resort to using nuclear weapons.
The Kremlin stated that any discussions regarding an alternative to the New START treaty between the United States and Russia, which limits nuclear weapons and expires in 2026, must take into account European nuclear capabilities, meaning the arsenals of Britain and France.
Levant-Agencies
