Putin outlines new guidelines for Russia’s nuclear weapon use
- In Reports
- 04:34 PM, Sep 26, 2024
- Myind Staff
Vladimir Putin has stated that if a non-nuclear country attacks Russia with support from a nuclear-armed nation, Russia would view it as a “joint attack.” The remark from Russia could be indicative of its approach to potentially responding with nuclear weapons in the context of the war in Ukraine. The Russian president made significant remarks on Wednesday night, indicating that his administration was thinking about modifying the guidelines and requirements for Russia's use of its nuclear weapons.
The US and other nations with nuclear weapons provide military support to Ukraine, a non-nuclear state. His remarks coincide with Kyiv's request for authorisation to launch long-range Western missiles against Russian military installations. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, is visiting the US this week and is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday. It is anticipated that the request from Kyiv will be the primary thing on the agenda.
This year, Ukraine has advanced into Russian territory with the intention of attacking Russian bases that it claims are firing missiles into Ukraine. Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff for Zelensky, responded to Putin's comments by saying that Russia "no longer has anything other than nuclear blackmail to intimidate the world". Putin has previously threatened to use nuclear weapons. It has been criticised by Ukraine as "nuclear sabre-rattling" meant to dissuade its allies from giving it further assistance.
China, a close ally of Russia, has also reportedly warned Putin against using nuclear weapons, according to President Xi Jinping. However, Putin made the announcement of the drastic expansion on Wednesday following a meeting with his Security Council. He cautioned that a new nuclear doctrine would "clearly set the conditions for Russia to transition to using nuclear weapons," adding that such scenarios would include strikes against Moscow by conventional missiles. He stated that in the event that it detected the beginning of a massive missile, aircraft, or drone launch into its territory—a situation that posed a "critical threat" to the nation's sovereignty—Russia would take into consideration the "possibility" of using nuclear weapons.
He added, "It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation." The country's nuclear arms were "the most important guarantee of security of our state and its citizens", the Kremlin leader said. Nuclear-armed states have pursued a policy of deterrence since the end of World War II, which is predicated on the idea that major nuclear strikes by warring states would result in mutually assured destruction.
However, smaller warhead tactical nuclear weapons exist that are intended to destroy targets without producing a large-scale radioactive fallout. In June, Putin delivered a warning to European countries supporting Ukraine, saying Russia had “many more [tactical nuclear weapons] than there are on the European continent, even if the United States brings theirs over.” He had alluded to modifications to Russia's nuclear doctrine, which outlines the circumstances in which Moscow would employ nuclear weapons, at the time. “Europe does not have a developed [early warning system],” he added. “In this sense, they are more or less defenceless.”
Comments