Russia is set to revise its nuclear doctrine, with its approach shaped significantly by the actions of Western nations, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Peskov highlighted that the current global tensions and the stance of the United States and its allies are influencing Russia’s new strategy.
Peskov emphasised that Western countries' refusal to engage in dialogue with Russia and their ongoing attacks on Russian interests are crucial factors in this review. He noted that these actions, along with Western support for Ukraine, are considered provocative and contribute to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The Kremlin's reassessment of its nuclear doctrine comes against the backdrop of these heightened tensions. The current policy, established by President Vladimir Putin in 2020, outlines that Russia may use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or a conventional attack that threatens the state’s survival.
Peskov remarked that Moscow is closely monitoring the possibility of Ukraine utilising long-range weapons supplied by the U.S. in its operations. This consideration is particularly relevant as Ukraine has increasingly pushed its allies to allow such weapons to target deeper into Russian territory.
Recent developments underscore the urgency of Russia’s review. For instance, a devastating attack on a military institute in Poltava, Ukraine, resulted in significant casualties, marking one of the deadliest incidents of the conflict this year. This attack involved two ballistic missiles, highlighting the severe impacts of the ongoing war and the stakes involved in Russia's strategic calculations.
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