Putin Signs Decree Expanding Nuclear Weapon Use

Putin Signs Decree Broadening Russia’s Nuclear Weapon Use Rules

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Tuesday that expands the circumstances under which Moscow might use nuclear weapons, sending a clear signal to the West and Ukraine.

This decision coincides with the 1,000th day of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine and follows the United States granting Kyiv permission to use long-range missiles to target military sites within Russia. The updated doctrine states that Russia may consider deploying nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if that state is backed by nuclear powers. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that "aggression by a non-nuclear state with the participation of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack," clearly referring to Ukraine and its Western allies. Peskov emphasized the need to align Russia's principles with the current situation, describing the update as a "very important" document that should be "studied" internationally. He reiterated that Russia has always regarded nuclear weapons as a deterrent, asserting they would only be used if Russia felt "forced" to act. Throughout the nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine, Putin has made numerous nuclear threats, raising alarms in the West over what it deems reckless rhetoric. The new doctrine also permits Moscow to respond with nuclear force in the event of a "massive" air assault, even if only conventional weapons are employed. When the Kremlin first announced these proposed changes in September, Peskov referred to it as a "warning" to anyone considering an "attack on our country by various means, not necessarily nuclear." Additionally, the new doctrine extends Moscow's nuclear protection to its close ally Belarus. On the 1,000th day of the conflict, Peskov stated that the "collective West" had initiated a "war" against Russia, vowing that Moscow would continue its "special military operation" until completion.