INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a chilling warning, suggesting Russia would consider an attack from a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear-armed nation as a “joint attack,” potentially opening the door to the use of nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.
Putin’s remarks, delivered during a Wednesday night address, signal a significant shift in Russia’s nuclear posture. He announced that his government is considering revising its nuclear doctrine, expanding the conditions under which Moscow might resort to using nuclear weapons.
The proposed changes come as Ukraine, a non-nuclear state receiving military aid from the US and other nuclear-armed countries, seeks approval to use long-range Western missiles against military sites inside Russia.
Putin’s statement has been met with alarm, with Ukraine’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, accusing Russia of “nuclear blackmail” to intimidate the world.
The Russian president has previously threatened nuclear use, drawing criticism from Ukraine and its allies. China, a close Russian ally, has reportedly urged Putin to refrain from using nuclear weapons, expressing concerns about the potential consequences.
Putin’s proposed nuclear doctrine expansion outlines several scenarios that could trigger a Russian nuclear response, including:
– Conventional missile strikes against Moscow: Putin stated that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons if it detected a massive launch of missiles, aircraft, and drones into its territory, posing a “critical threat” to the country’s sovereignty.
– “Joint attack” by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear power: Putin asserted that Russia would consider such an attack as a direct threat to its security and potentially justify a nuclear response.
The Kremlin leader emphasized that Russia’s nuclear arsenal is “the most important guarantee of security of our state and its citizens.”
Putin’s comments have raised concerns about the potential for nuclear escalation in the Ukraine conflict. While nuclear-armed states have long relied on a policy of deterrence, based on the concept of mutually assured destruction, the use of tactical nuclear weapons, smaller warheads designed for specific targets, remains a possibility.
In June, Putin delivered a warning to European countries supporting Ukraine, highlighting Russia’s vast arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons and suggesting that Europe’s lack of a developed early warning system made it vulnerable. He hinted at potential changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine at that time.
Putin’s latest pronouncements underscore the escalating tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine and the potential for a catastrophic escalation. The international community is watching closely as the situation unfolds, with calls for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict growing louder.(Red)
