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President Vladimir Putin has authorized critical changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, extending the scenarios under which the country might resort to nuclear weapons.
The updates, approved on Tuesday, coincide with the 1,000-day mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and underscore an increasingly aggressive military outlook.
The revised policy includes provisions for nuclear retaliation against large conventional assaults, threats to Belarus, and non-nuclear nations attacking with nuclear support, signaling a shift towards a more expansive definition of national defense.
A Strong Reaction from Moscow
After the U.S. approved long-range ATACMS missiles for Ukraine, Russia swiftly condemned the move, accusing the West of escalating the conflict.
Moscow warned of “appropriate and tangible” repercussions for the missile deployment.
Ukraine’s Dismissal of Nuclear Rhetoric
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials dismissed the Russian nuclear rhetoric as “sabere-rattling,” aimed at deterring further weapon shipments. Addressing the G20 summit, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s goal of preventing nuclear conflict while maintaining its stance on disarmament.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized, “We are fully committed to taking all necessary steps to prevent nuclear war from happening.”
China Calls for De-Escalation
On Wednesday, Beijing responded by urging both sides to lower their rhetoric. “In the current situation, all parties should exercise restraint and engage in dialogue to calm tensions,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian.
He added that China remains committed to encouraging a peaceful resolution to the crisis, continuing its role as a constructive mediator.