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Vladimir Putin has outlined changes to the conditions in which Russia would use nuclear weapons, to include conventional strikes by non-nuclear states that have the backing of nuclear powers.
Speaking during a meeting of Russia’s Security Council on Wednesday, President Putin said that a conventional attack that posed a “critical threat” to Russia’s sovereignty, if carried out by a non-nuclear armed state with the “participation or support of a nuclear power”, would be considered by Russia to be a “joint attack.”
The announcement comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the UN General Assembly, and has been lobbying NATO states to give permission to use long-range missiles supplied by the US and Britain to strike targets in Russia.
Last week, it was reported that Britain was on board with allowing its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukraine into Russia. However, an announcement of joint US-UK approval for long-range strikes did not materialise during Keir Starmer’s recent trip to Washington.
While President Putin did not name any other countries in his announcement, it’s clear that it relates specifically to Ukrainian use of NATO weapons to attack Russia.
CND General Secretary Kate Hudson said:
“We have gradually seen the threat of nuclear use rise in the two and a half years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During this time, NATO has continued to upgrade and bolster its nuclear forces in Europe – including preparations for the return of US nuclear weapons to Britain. Russia has responded by stationing nuclear weapons in Belarus, and is now changing its nuclear doctrine to increase the options for use. These are all serious escalations which make nuclear conflict more likely. Too many have already died in this conflict – a nuclear dimension would be catastrophic. We urgently need a ceasefire and a peace process that lays the groundwork for a lasting settlement.”
Image credit: Mil.ru
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