Changes to Russia's nuclear policy a 'warning' to Ukraine's allies not to support Kyiv's attacks, Kremlin says

26 September 2024, 13:58

The Kremlin is warning against the West supporting Ukraine's attacks on its territory
The Kremlin is warning against the West supporting Ukraine's attacks on its territory. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Changes to Russia's nuclear policy are meant to serve as a "signal" to Ukraine's allies in the West not to support attacks, Kremlin has said.

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Vladimir Putin recently announced a change in Russia's nuclear doctrine, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that these were a "warning signal to those countries about the consequences in case of their involvement in an attack on our country with various assets, not necessarily nuclear ones".

It comes after Russian president Putin said on Wednesday that Russia might use nuclear weapons in response to an attack on its territory that posed a "critical threat to our sovereignty".

Putin said that an attack on Russia that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

This is likely to be interpreted as an attempt at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons.

Read more: Putin proposes new rules for when Russia could use nuclear weapons

Read more: Secret permission for Ukraine to fire missiles inside Russia could be given in the coming weeks

Kyiv, Ukraine. 26th Sep, 2024. Utility workers clean up after an explosion near an apartment building damaged by a Russian drone strike during Russia's attack on Kyiv.
Kyiv, Ukraine. 26th Sep, 2024. Utility workers clean up after an explosion near an apartment building damaged by a Russian drone strike during Russia's attack on Kyiv. Picture: Alamy

Russia is making slow but steady gains in Ukraine as the conflict grinds through its third year, and the Kremlin is seeking to discourage stronger Western support for Kyiv.

Ukraine has repeatedly struck Russian territory with missiles and drones in response to Moscow's attacks, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pushing the US and other Western allies for permission to use the longer-range Western weapons to strike deep inside Russian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Russian Energy Week International Forum in Moscow, Russia, Thursday
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Russian Energy Week International Forum in Moscow, Russia, Thursday. Picture: Alamy

The Biden administration has said it has not given Kyiv permission for strikes with American weapons deep inside Russia.

Mr Putin noted that the revised doctrine spells out conditions for using nuclear weapons in greater detail, noting that they could be used in case of a massive air attack.

A view of the damaged residential buildings and shops following a Russian forces launched airstrikes on a civilian area in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast
A view of the damaged residential buildings and shops following a Russian forces launched airstrikes on a civilian area in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast. Picture: Getty

The new phrasing holds the door open to a potential nuclear response to any aerial attack - a deliberate ambiguity intended to make the West more reluctant to allow longer-range strikes.

Since Mr Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, he and other Kremlin voices have frequently threatened the West with Russia's nuclear arsenal to discourage it from ramping up support for Kyiv.

Earlier this month, Mr Putin warned the US and other Nato allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would put Russia and Nato in a direct conflict.

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