Putin Issues Nuclear Warning to the West Over Attacks on Russia from Ukraine, According to Reuters

By Vladimir Soldatkin and Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to the West, stating that Russia may resort to nuclear weapons if it faces attacks using conventional missiles. He asserted that any assault on Russia supported by a nuclear-armed state would be regarded as a joint attack.

This shift in Russia’s nuclear doctrine appears to be a response to discussions in the United States and the United Kingdom about the possibility of allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory using Western missiles.

During a meeting with Russia’s Security Council, Putin emphasized that the adjustments were necessary due to a rapidly changing global environment that presents new threats to Russia. He highlighted a crucial change in the stance toward aggression involving non-nuclear states in collaboration with nuclear powers.

Putin stated, "It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, supported by a nuclear state, be considered a joint attack on the Russian Federation." He elaborated that specific conditions for Russia’s potential use of nuclear weapons had also been clarified, particularly in response to significant missile, aircraft, or drone assaults.

The Russian leader maintained that the nation retains the right to employ nuclear weapons if faced with aggression—be it from conventional forces—against Russia or its ally Belarus. He indicated that these clarifications were meticulously calibrated to align with contemporary military challenges, confirming an evolution in Russia’s nuclear policy.

Putin’s current nuclear doctrine, outlined in a 2020 decree, permits the use of nuclear weapons if Russia experiences a nuclear attack or a conventional assault threatening its existence. The newly proposed adjustments expand the potential scenarios in which Russia might consider a nuclear response, explicitly including allies like Belarus under this strategic umbrella.

Concerns surrounding Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons led the United States to caution Putin about the consequences, according to statements made by intelligence officials.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has intensified tensions between Russia and the West, mirroring the standoffs experienced during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the two nuclear powers to the brink of war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been pressing allies to enable Ukraine to target Russian positions more effectively, suggesting that the country needs long-range capabilities to deter aggression.

As the war evolves, Russian officials express that the situation is becoming increasingly precarious, with territory changing hands amid fierce battles. Zelenskiy has challenged Western nations to disregard Russia’s declared "red lines", while some Western allies advocate for a more assertive approach against Russian advances.

In this climate of heightened rhetoric, both Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden have signaled the risks of a potential confrontation escalating into broader conflict. Former President Donald Trump has also raised alarms about the threat of nuclear warfare amid the ongoing tensions.

Russia, as the largest nuclear power, along with the United States, controls a significant majority of the world’s nuclear arsenal. In his address to the Security Council, a crucial advisory group to Putin, he revealed that discussions about altering nuclear policy had been underway for the past year.

Putin reiterated the importance of a robust nuclear deterrent, stating, "The nuclear triad remains the most important guarantee of ensuring the security of our state and citizens, an instrument for maintaining strategic parity and balance of power in the world." He affirmed that Russia would act upon credible intelligence concerning significant aerial assaults aimed at crossing its borders.