Russia to revise nuclear doctrine amid Western actions in Ukraine conflict
Serviceman with a Russian flag on his uniform stands guard near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict outside the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 4, 2022. (Reuters Photo)
Russia announced on Sunday that it will revise its nuclear doctrine due to Western actions related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov informed state news agency TASS that the review of the country’s nuclear doctrine is at an “advanced stage” and is driven by recent conflicts and “escalation strategies” employed by Western nations.
Ryabkov stated that the adjustments are being made based on Russia’s recent conflict experiences and interactions with Western opponents.
He noted that finalizing the revised doctrine is still in progress, and specific completion dates are not yet available, given the document’s critical role in national security.
In 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on the Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence, which outlines conditions under which Russia could use its nuclear arsenal. The doctrine permits nuclear use in response to a nuclear attack or a conventional attack that threatens the existence of Russia.
