President Putin broadens rules on Russia’s use of nuclear arms

Kathmandu: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree broadening the scope of when Moscow can use nuclear weapons in a clear message to the West and Ukraine.

The move comes on the 1,000th day of Russia’s offensive on Ukraine and after the United States permitted Kyiv to use long-range missiles to strike military targets inside Russia. The new doctrine outlines that Russia will consider using nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if they are supported by nuclear powers.

‘Aggression by a non-nuclear state with the participation of a nuclear state is considered as a joint attack Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.  He further said ‘It was necessary to bring our principles in line with the current situation, calling the update a “very important” document that should be “studied” abroad.’

President Putin has issued a string of nuclear threats throughout the almost three-year campaign against Ukraine, triggering concern in the West over rhetoric it has slammed as reckless. The new doctrine also allows Moscow to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a “massive” air attack, even if it only uses conventional weapons.

RSS/AFP