Putin Lowers Nuclear Doctrine Threshold Amid Tensions

President Vladimir Putin has announced significant changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for utilizing nuclear weapons. Putin declared that any conventional attack by a non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear power, would be considered a joint attack on Russia, indicating this as a direct signal to the West. This revision aims to deter Western nations from permitting Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia. The Kremlin's updated policy now allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a wide range of threats, including conventional attacks posing a 'critical threat' to Russia's sovereignty. This development comes amid ongoing deliberations in the U.S. and U.K. about providing Ukraine with more advanced weaponry, and as Ukraine continues to strike Russian targets. Analysts and officials have expressed skepticism about whether Putin would follow through on these threats, adding an element of strategic ambiguity.