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Putin Lowers Nuclear Use Threshold, Allows Response to Conventional Attacks in New Doctrine

Nov 19, 2024, 09:42 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an updated nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for Russia's use of nuclear weapons. Signed as Decree No. 991 and published on the government's website, the new doctrine titled 'On the Approval of the Fundamentals of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence' states that Russia may consider using nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack on Russia or its allies, including Belarus, by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power. Such aggression will be considered a joint attack on Russia. The decision to use nuclear weapons will be made personally by Putin. This development follows the United States' decision to allow Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia using American missiles and incorporates changes first announced by Putin in September.