Putin Signs Decree on Nuclear Doctrine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new decree that expands the circumstances under which Russia may use nuclear weapons, viewing this adjustment as a necessary response to perceived Western threats, particularly following the U.S. granting Ukraine permission for long-range missile strikes. The updated nuclear doctrine allows for a nuclear response to significant conventional attacks, including those involving drones, and considers aggression against Russia or its allies by a non-nuclear state, supported by nuclear powers, as a collective attack. This policy, named 'Fundamentals of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence,' emphasizes a defensive stance, marking nuclear weapons as a last resort to protect national sovereignty. The decree is part of Putin's broader strategy as the conflict in Ukraine approaches its 1,000th day. The document updates the previous nuclear strategy from 2020, detailing various scenarios where nuclear force might be warranted to defend against threats to Russian territory or its allies, including Belarus.