Putin challenges US with bold change in nuclear policy amid Ukraine conflict | World news

In a clear message to the US and the rest of the Western powers, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday approved revisions to his nuclear doctrine amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The new policy broadens the scope of when Moscow can use nuclear weapons.

“It was necessary to align our principles with the current situation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine, calling the update a “very important” document that was “studied” abroad should be.

Russia’s announcement coincided with the US granting Ukraine limited permission to use long-range missiles targeting Russian territory, especially after Putin’s warning to the West against facilitating Kiev’s attack on Moscow.

What does Putin’s updated nuclear doctrine say?

According to the updated nuclear policy, Russia will regard aggression by a non-nuclear state, especially when backed by a nuclear power state, as a coordinated attack against it and retaliate in the same way, Reuters news agency reported.

The updated policy also allows Russia to expand the use of its nuclear weapons in retaliation in the event of an external attack.

The decree recently signed by Putin also authorizes the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation against any major conventional attack on Russia, including drone strikes.

“Aggression by a non-nuclear state with the participation of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack,” Peskov told reporters on Tuesday – an apparent reference to Ukraine and its Western allies.

This policy review comes a month after Putin’s previous comments on revising the doctrine in light of perceived threats from allied states.

Putin has previously issued stern warnings to the US and its European allies, warning that allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with advanced Western weapons could escalate tensions and lead to direct conflict with Russia can lead.