Russia’s new nuclear doctrine: Moscow defends expansion of nuclear doctrine

The nuclear power Russia has defended the changes to its doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons against criticism. The new foundations of nuclear deterrence are necessary because NATO’s infrastructure is getting closer and closer to Russia’s borders and Western powers want to achieve a victory over Moscow with their arms deliveries to Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian state television. The decision on the need to use nuclear weapons will be made by the military, he said.

The Kremlin spokesman was asked who determines whether nuclear weapons will be used in light of Ukraine’s drone and missile attacks on Russia. Russian propagandists repeatedly call for such a nuclear strike against Ukraine in the state media in order to quickly defeat the country. “This is more the prerogative of our specialists, our military. They keep a close eye on which weapons and how they are used,” Peskov explained. Russia accuses the USA, Germany and other countries of already being deeply involved in the war through their arms deliveries.

Ukraine, which has been resisting Moscow’s war of aggression for more than two and a half years, had accused Russia of “nuclear blackmail” in view of the changes in nuclear doctrine. The country attacked by Moscow appealed to the West not to be intimidated and to finally release long-range weapons to strike against targets in Russia.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin had previously outlined new possible scenarios for Russian use of nuclear weapons, which can now be used as a counterattack even in the event of massive attacks with conventional weapons if this threatens Russia’s existence. At a meeting of the Moscow Security Council on nuclear deterrence, Putin said that Russia could also use nuclear weapons in the event of a massive attack from the air, i.e. with cruise missiles, airplanes, rockets or drones.