Putin Approves Russia's Updated Nuclear Doctrine, Expanding the Scope for Nuclear Weapons Use

Forex - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving the updated nuclear doctrine titled "Fundamentals of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence." The decree states, "The fundamental principle of the doctrine is that the use of nuclear weapons is a measure to be resorted to only as a last resort to protect the sovereignty of the country. The emergence of new military threats and risks has forced Russia to clarify the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons."

The revised doctrine particularly expands the list of military threats aimed at countering nuclear deterrent-capable countries and military alliances. The document also states that Russia will regard an attack from a non-nuclear country supported by a nuclear power as a collective aggression.

Moscow also reserves the right to respond with nuclear force to a conventional weapon attack threatening its sovereignty, the mass launch of enemy aircraft and missiles toward Russian territory, and any attack directed at Russia.