Connect with us

World

Russia updating its nuclear doctrine amid ‘current realities’

Published

on

Russia updating its nuclear doctrine amid ‘current realities’

Russia has said it is updating its nuclear doctrine, in a sign of growing tensions between Moscow and the West.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, citing an earlier statement by Vladimir Putin, told a briefing that “work is under way to bring the doctrine into line with current realities”.

He did not provide any further details.

North Korea warns US over ‘new world war’ – follow Ukraine live updates

The nuclear doctrine currently states it may use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or in the event of a conventional attack that poses an existential threat to Russia.

Tensions between Moscow and the West have increased dramatically in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the Kremlin persistently claiming it is fighting a proxy war with the West.

Since the start of the war, some hawks within Russian politics have advocated for Moscow to revise its nuclear doctrine – and others have threatened an attack on the West.

Mr Putin said last week that Russia was thinking about changing its doctrine because its potential enemies were working on “new elements” around lowering the threshold for nuclear use.

“In particular, explosive nuclear devices of extremely low power are being developed. And we know that there are ideas floating around in expert circles in the West that such means of destruction could be used,” he claimed.

Read more world news:
Gunmen open fire on synagogue in Russia
Pirates of the Caribbean actor killed in shark attack
Factory fire kills 22 people in South Korea


Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Relations have deteriorated

The West, for its part, has been reluctant at times to provide further aid to Ukraine for fear of escalation – although some have accused Moscow of sabre-rattling to scare off Kyiv’s allies.

Relations appear to have deteriorated further in recent weeks after the US agreed to allow Ukraine to use American-made weapons to strike inside Russian territory under certain circumstances.

👉 Tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Russia blamed US for attack

Earlier on Monday, Russia summoned the US ambassador over what it said were Ukrainian drone and missile attacks that killed at least six people in occupied Crimea and the Russian region of Belgorod.

It said it directly blamed the US for the attack and has warned the use of American-made weapons inside Russian territory will incur “consequences”.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during a signing ceremony following bilateral talks in Pyongyang, North Korea June 19, 2024. Sputnik/Kristina Kormilitsyna/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Image:
Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un agreed a deal in Pyongyang. Pic: Reuters

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Why Putin’s N Korea visit is worrying the West

Last week, Russia caused alarm among Western allies when it agreed a military alliance pact with North Korea – also considered an international pariah.

Mr Putin held meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, where the pair agreed a deal to provide aid in case the other is attacked.

Continue Reading