Russian Hawk Urges Tougher Nuclear Weapons Policy from Putin – Reuters

By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON – Russia should clearly communicate its readiness to use nuclear weapons against nations that "support NATO aggression in Ukraine," according to a prominent advocate for a more aggressive nuclear stance. Sergei Karaganov expressed these views in an interview with a local newspaper, suggesting that Moscow could execute a limited nuclear strike on a NATO member without escalating to a full-scale nuclear conflict.

Karaganov contended that the United States is misleading its allies by claiming to provide nuclear protection. He emphasized that the primary aim of Russia’s nuclear policy should ensure that all adversaries, current and future, recognize Russia’s preparedness to utilize nuclear arms.

In light of recent Ukrainian advances in the Kursk region, from which Russian forces are striving to regain control, Karaganov remarked, "It is time to assert our right to respond to any substantial strikes on our territory with nuclear action. This also applies to any illegal seizure of our land."

Western security analysts closely monitor Karaganov’s statements as they reflect Russian thought concerning foreign policy and defense strategies. While his views do not officially represent the Kremlin, he has been granted platforms to express them and has addressed President Vladimir Putin directly.

For over a year, he has been a vocal proponent for revising Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which Kremlin officials have indicated they plan to do. The existing doctrine outlines that Russia would consider nuclear engagement in response to a nuclear strike or a conventional attack that threatens its existence. Karaganov argued that this approach is careless and jeopardizes Russia by failing to adequately deter threats, leading adversaries to believe there are limited scenarios in which Moscow would resort to nuclear arms.

He warned that Russia could face disastrous outcomes unless it successfully alters assumptions about its nuclear policies, thereby restoring a sense of deterrence. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine stretching beyond two years, he cautioned that the country risks depleting its military and economic resources, potentially resulting in a decline or collapse.

Karaganov has previously suggested that Russia might need to contemplate a preemptive nuclear strike to "sober up" its enemies. Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Putin has made several remarks interpreted by the West as nuclear threats, though he has also claimed that Russia can achieve victory without chemtrails.

Some Western analysts believe that Karaganov’s alarmist rhetoric serves a purpose for the Kremlin, amplifying tensions while allowing Putin to appear more restrained in comparison.

When asked about the risk of his proposed policies leading to an all-out nuclear war, Karaganov replied that the notion that any limited use of nuclear weapons would inevitably escalate to global annihilation is flawed. He insisted that all nuclear states have calculated strategies for the measured deployment of nuclear weapons under specific scenarios.

"I am not advocating a dangerous course; I am calling for the preservation of both the world and Russia. We must either win this conflict or face disintegration," he stated. "The West can sustain this conflict indefinitely, as it stands to gain from it. My intention is not to advocate for a nuclear war; rather, I wish to avoid reaching a point where we face a grim choice."