Sergei Shoigu, Moscow’s top security official, has warned that Russia may use nuclear weapons if it faces aggression from Western nations. This statement could heighten already tense relations between Russia and the West. In an interview published on Thursday (April 24) by the Russian state news agency TASS, Shoigu referred to recent changes in Russia’s nuclear policy, approved by President Vladimir Putin last November. He highlighted that Russia is now open to considering nuclear responses even to conventional military threats.

According to the updated policy, Russia could justify using nuclear weapons if a conventional attack targets either Russia or its nearest partner, Belarus and is seen as a “critical threat” to their sovereignty or territorial integrity. “…in the event of foreign states committing unfriendly actions that pose a threat to the sovereignty and territory integrity of the Russian Federation, our country considers it legitimate to take symmetric and asymmetric measures necessary to suppress such actions and prevent their recurrence,” Shoigu stated.

Shoigu’s remarks come when diplomacy around the Ukraine conflict becomes more tense. U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both suggested that the U.S. could step back from peace talks if there’s no real progress toward a ceasefire. Since taking office in January, Trump has taken a very different approach to the war, pushing Kyiv to agree to a truce while at the same time easing pressure on Russia. This change in stance has worried many of Ukraine’s European allies, who fear it might encourage Russia to become even more aggressive.

Shoigu, who served as Russia’s defence minister for more than ten years before becoming head of the powerful security council last year, continues to play a key role in directing Moscow’s military and strategic direction. His recent remarks highlight the growing tension between Russia and the West, sparking fears that a new round of nuclear threats could be on the horizon.