Putin threatens West with nuclear response over Ukraine's support
- It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation - said Vladimir Putin. He spoke about the proposals to change the Russian atomic doctrine during a Security Council meeting. This is not the first time the Russian leader has threatened the West with the use of nuclear weapons.
6:36 AM EDT, September 26, 2024
Russian leader Vladimir Putin once again threatened the West with the use of atomic weapons on Wednesday. During a meeting of the Russian Security Council, he discussed proposals to change the Russian nuclear doctrine, which could include using nuclear weapons in response to even a conventional attack from outside.
The media particularly noted the following sentence. - It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation - Putin said.
This would apply to situations where Ukraine - using weapons supplied by, for example, the United States or the United Kingdom - would attack targets deep within Russian territory with missiles.
"Also conventional weapons"
According to Putin, the Kremlin could also consider using atomic weapons if it detected the beginning of mass missile launches or attacks by aircraft or drones on Russian territory. - We will consider such a possibility when we receive reliable information about a massive launch of air and space attack assets and them crossing our state border - he warned.
He added that "Russia reserved the right to also use nuclear weapons if it or ally Belarus were the subject of aggression, including by conventional weapons."
Putin emphasized that the proposed changes to the nuclear doctrine have been carefully calibrated and are "commensurate with the modern military threats facing Russia."
The Russian leader said this particularly concerns the emergence of new sources of threat and military risks for Russia and its allies.
Putin warned NATO
A few days ago, Putin warned that if the West allows Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles, it would mean that "NATO countries are at war with Russia." - This will mean that NATO countries, the United States, and European countries are fighting Russia. And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us - Putin said on September 12 in a video recording published on Telegram.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has long been appealing to the United States and other Western allies to agree that Ukrainian forces can use the long-range missiles provided to them to strike targets deep within Russia to increase pressure on Moscow and force it to end the war.
Washington has so far refused to grant such authorization, fearing escalation that could lead to a direct conflict with Russia.
