Russia revises nuclear doctrine amid rising Ukraine tensions

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

As mentioned in the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin." Peskov said that adapting the doctrine and state policy assumptions in the field of nuclear deterrence is necessary due to the "escalation of tension."

"In fact, nuclear powers have started to take part in the conflict on the side of Ukraine," he said.

According to Peskov, the military will determine whether conditions have emerged that allow for the use of nuclear weapons.

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

During a Security Council meeting, Putin announced amendments to the doctrine at the end of September. He proposed to consider aggression from any "non-nuclear" state, but with the participation or support of a "nuclear" state, as a joint attack on the country.

The conditions for the use of nuclear weapons will also include a massive air attack using non-nuclear means, including drones.

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