Russian President Vladimir Putin has signalled a potential shift in Russia’s nuclear policy, suggesting that any attack on his country by a non-nuclear state, if backed by a nuclear-armed nation, would be considered a “joint attack.” This could open the door for the use of nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Speaking on Wednesday, Putin said that Russia is considering changes to its nuclear doctrine, outlining new preconditions for the use of its nuclear arsenal.
“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 stated after a meeting with his Security Council.
His remarks come as Ukraine, a non-nuclear state, continues to receive military support from Western nations, including nuclear-armed countries like the United States. Kyiv is currently pushing for approval to use long-range Western missiles against military sites within Russia, a request that is expected to top the agenda during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday.
Putin also warned that Russia could consider deploying its nuclear arsenal in response to conventional attacks involving missiles, aircraft, or drones that pose a “critical threat” to Russian sovereignty. He further emphasised that Russia’s nuclear weapons were “the most important guarantee of security of our state and its citizens.”
Responding to Putin’s comments, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelensky, dismissed the remarks as “nuclear blackmail.” He claimed Russia was trying to intimidate the world since it had “nothing other than nuclear” threats to offer.
Putin has previously issued nuclear threats throughout the Ukraine conflict, often labelled by Kyiv as “nuclear sabre-rattling.” These latest remarks, however, mark a potential escalation as Moscow looks to redefine the triggers for using its nuclear weapons. China, a Russian ally, has called for calm, with reports suggesting President Xi Jinping has warned Putin against resorting to nuclear arms.
Since World War Two, nuclear powers have adhered to a policy of deterrence, relying on the idea of mutually assured destruction to prevent large-scale nuclear conflicts. However, Putin hinted at Russia’s possession of tactical nuclear weapons—smaller warheads designed for limited strikes with reduced radioactive fallout. In June, he claimed that Russia had far more tactical nuclear weapons than European countries and warned that Europe’s defences against such threats were underdeveloped.
As the war in Ukraine grinds on, with Kyiv pushing into Russian territory and seeking to strike bases launching attacks on its cities, the spectre of nuclear warfare looms. Putin’s latest warning could further complicate international efforts to support Ukraine while averting a potential nuclear disaster.
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