By William J. Furney
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed significant changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, seeking to expand the conditions under which the country might use nuclear weapons against enemies. In a message clearly aimted at Ukraine and its Western allies, Putin said that any attack by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear-armed nation would be considered a “joint attack” on Russia.
“It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation,” Putin said after meeting with Russia’s Security Council on Wednesday.
Putin’s remarks follow growing military support from Western powers, including the United States, for Ukraine, a non-nuclear state. Kyiv has continued to push for the use of long-range Western missiles to strike Russian military targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently visited Washington and was in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, has been advocating for the missiles, sparking further tension with Moscow.
Putin also addressed the possibility of conventional strikes escalating to a nuclear response. “We may consider the possibility of using nuclear weapons if there is a launch of missiles, aircraft or drones into our territory that poses a critical threat to our sovereignty,” he said.
The Kremlin leader defended Russia’s reliance on its nuclear arsenal, describing it as the “most important guarantee of security of our state and its citizens”.
Critics, however, view the comments as a self-serving strategy aimed at intimidating Ukraine and its Western allies. Ukraine’s top officials, including Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, have dismissed Putin’s rhetoric, with Yermak labelling it “nuclear blackmail” intended to deter support for Ukraine’s defence efforts.
Ukraine continues to push further into Russian-held territory, seeking to counter missile attacks from across the border. Meanwhile, Russian-allied China has urged restraint, with President Xi Jinping reportedly warning Putin against using nuclear weapons.
Putin’s comments have reignited concerns over the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The smaller warheads, capable of limited strikes without widespread radioactive fallout, could be a new focal point in Russia’s military strategy, analysts say. In June, Putin hinted at the possibility of changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, noting that Europe was “defenceless” against Russia’s tactical nuclear capabilities due to its lack of an advanced early warning system.
For years, nuclear-armed states have followed a policy of deterrence, avoiding nuclear conflict due to the risk of mutually assured destruction. But Putin’s latest remarks suggest a shift in the approach, particularly regarding tactical nuclear weapons designed for more localized use.
As the conflict in Ukraine drags on and Western involvement increases, Putin’s expanded nuclear doctrine is seen as a strategic move to maintain leverage, say observers. His warnings highlight the unpredictability of the ongoing war and raise the spectre of nuclear escalation if the conflict deepens.
* Image: Sergei Bobylev/Sputnik