Putin Revisions Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine Following U.S. Support for Ukraine

MOSCOW — In a significant shift in Russia‘s military policy, President Vladimir Putin has signed a new doctrine that lowers the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. The decision follows President Joe Biden‘s approval for Ukraine to utilize advanced U.S. missile systems, known as ATACMS, to strike limited targets within Russian territory.

The new doctrine permits a nuclear response from Moscow in case of a conventional attack by any nation receiving nuclear power support. This announcement came after Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Ukraine fired six U.S.-made missiles at a military installation in Russia’s Bryansk region. According to the Russian authorities, five of the missiles were intercepted.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the Ukrainian strike in Bryansk as an escalation of the conflict, urging the U.S. and its allies to reconsider their actions in light of the updated nuclear stance. Speaking at a G20 summit in Brazil, Lavrov warned that the use of long-range missiles from Ukrainian soil would be viewed as an engagement by American experts, escalating the ongoing conflict to a new phase.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that any Ukrainian attack using U.S. missiles could potentially trigger a nuclear response, citing the broadened scope of situations that could warrant such an action as stated in the doctrine. While the document allows flexibility, it underscores Moscow’s readiness to act in defense of its sovereignty.

This development follows lengthy Russian grievances over NATO‘s continued support for Ukraine. In responding to whether the change was a reaction to Biden’s decision, Peskov noted that the doctrine had been considered for revision well before and was in line with the current geopolitical realities.

The doctrine notably states that an attack from a nonnuclear country, supported by a nuclear power, will be seen as an assault on Russia itself. Russia reserves the right to respond to such actions, up to and including the use of nuclear weapons.

Western officials, including U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, have urged Russia to cease the «irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,» emphasizing there is no need to adjust the U.S. nuclear posture at present. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the «irresponsible rhetoric from Russia,» affirming continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The shift in Russia’s policy arrives as the conflict in Ukraine approaches its 1,000th day since the initial invasion. Observers and analysts view these changes as an attempt by Putin to maintain leverage over Western powers backing Ukraine and ensure Russia’s tactical advantage.