Putin, addressing the West: "Changes are coming to Russia's nuclear doctrine"

Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Moscow is considering the possibility of introducing changes to its nuclear doctrinethat is, in relation to use of nuclear weaponskeeping in mind possible changes associated with reducing the level of use of nuclear weapons in the West.

These statements came after it became known that part of Russia's political and military leadership, the so-called “hawks,” are calling for the use of nuclear weapons. According to existing doctrine, Russia could use these weapons in response to a nuclear attack or in the event of a conventional attack that poses an existential threat to the state.

“I have already said that we are now thinking about what and how could be changed in this nuclear doctrine. And this is due to the fact that new elements are appearing – at least we know that the potential enemy is working on this – related to lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.”Putin said.

According to him, we are talking, in particular, about the development “explosive nuclear devices of ultra-low power.” “And we know that in expert circles in the West there are ideas that such weapons could be used, and there is nothing particularly terrible about it. We must pay attention to this.” – Putin added.

The President also said that Russia does not yet need the ability to launch a preventive nuclear strike, since “When responding to a counter strike, the enemy will be guaranteed to be destroyed.”

Putin made these statements to reporters at the end of his visit to Vietnam and shortly after the contents of the strategic alliance treaty between Russia and North Korea became known.

At SPIEF 2024, Putin did not rule out that, if necessary, the country’s nuclear doctrine could be changed. “This is a doctrine, this is a living instrument, and we are closely watching what is happening in the world around us, and we do not rule out making some changes,” – he said. The president later pointed out that Russia is constantly accused of waving “nuclear baton”but the conditions for Moscow’s use of such weapons are described in the nuclear doctrine. He also called for the situation not to escalate not only to the use, but to the threat of the use of nuclear weapons.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this week that the alliance is discussing putting nuclear missiles on alert due to growing threats from Russia and China.

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