Dire threats

Kremlin says Russia's updated nuclear doctrine is being formalized

reuters.com





The Kremlin said on Sunday that amendments to Russia's nuclear doctrine had been prepared and were about to be formalized, meaning the relevant documents setting out the circumstances in which nuclear arms can be used by Moscow will be updated.

President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that under proposed changes to the doctrine Russia could use nuclear arms if it was struck with conventional missiles and would consider any assault on it supported by a nuclear power to be a joint attack.

The changes were widely seen as an attempt by Putin to draw a "red line" for the United States and its allies by signaling that

"Moscow will consider responding with nuclear weapons"

if they allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with long-range Western missiles.
(Reuters)