Kremlin unveils nuclear doctrine shift amid Ukraine tensions

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that amendments to the nuclear doctrine have been prepared and will be legally formalised soon. He stated that the situation in Ukraine necessitated a change in the doctrine.

As announced in the programme "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that adapting the doctrine and state policy assumptions in the field of nuclear deterrence is necessary, considering 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.

- This is the privilege of our specialists, our military. They closely monitor what type 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.

Putin announced amendments to the doctrine at the end of September at a Security Council meeting. In particular, 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 considered these actions an attempt to intimidate Ukraine and the North Atlantic Alliance.