Putin Approves Changes to Russia's Nuclear Doctrine: A Warning to the West?

On Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a revised nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for Russia's use of nuclear weapons. This move comes just two days after US President Joe Biden granted Ukraine permission to use US-supplied long-range missiles.

The new doctrine states that Russia will consider a conventional attack on its territory by any nation that is "threatening the existence of the Russian Federation" as a justification for using nuclear weapons. This represents a significant shift in Russia's nuclear policy, as it previously only considered a nuclear attack on its territory as a justification for using nuclear weapons.

The revised doctrine has been met with concern by Western leaders, who see it as a sign of Russia's increasing willingness to use nuclear weapons. Some analysts have argued that the new doctrine is a direct response to the West's support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Others have suggested that the move is intended to deter NATO from intervening in the conflict.

The new doctrine has also been criticized by some within Russia, who argue that it is a dangerous escalation of the conflict. They fear that the new doctrine could lead to an accidental nuclear war.

The implications of this change in Russia's nuclear doctrine are far-reaching. It is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West, and it has the potential to further escalate tensions between the two sides. The international community is closely watching the situation, and it remains to be seen how this new doctrine will affect the course of the conflict.