Putin proposes new rules for Russia's use of nuclear weapons

Vladimir Putin said Russia would consider an attack by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear-armed state as a “joint attack,” which could be interpreted as a threat to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.

In key remarks on Wednesday evening, the Russian president said his government is considering changing the rules and conditions under which Russia will use its nuclear arsenal.

Ukraine is a non-nuclear state that receives military support from the United States and other nuclear-armed states.

His comments come as Kiev seeks authorization to use Western long-range missiles against military sites in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to the US this week and will meet US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday, where Kiev's request is expected to be high on the agenda.

Ukraine has moved into Russian territory this year and plans to attack bases inside Russia that it claims are sending missiles into Ukraine.

Responding to Putin's comments, Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said Russia had “nothing left but nuclear blackmail to intimidate the world.”

Putin has previously threatened to use nuclear weapons. Ukraine criticized it as “nuclear saber rattling” to deter its allies from further support.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the comments “completely irresponsible” in an MSNBC television interview.

Russian ally China has also called for calm and President Xi Jinping has reportedly warned Putin against using nuclear weapons.

But on Wednesday, Putin announced the planned radical expansion after a meeting with his Security Council.

A new nuclear doctrine would “clearly establish the conditions for Russia to move to the use of nuclear weapons,” he warned – and said such scenarios would include conventional missile attacks against Moscow.

He said that Russia would consider such a “possibility” of using nuclear weapons if it detected the start of a massive launch of missiles, aircraft and drones on its territory, posing a “critical threat” to the country's sovereignty .

He added: “It is proposed that aggression against Russia by a state that does not possess nuclear weapons, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, will be considered a joint attack on the Russian Federation.”

The country's nuclear weapons are “the most important guarantee of the security of our state and its citizens,” said the Kremlin chief.

Since the end of World War II, nuclear-armed states have pursued a policy of deterrence based on the idea that a major nuclear attack by enemy states would result in mutually assured destruction.

But there are also tactical nuclear weapons, which are smaller warheads designed to destroy targets without widespread radioactive fallout.

In June, Putin issued a warning to European countries that supported Ukraine, saying Russia had “much more.” [tactical nuclear weapons] than exists on the European continent, even if the United States brings its own.”

“Europe is not developed [early warning system]” he added. “In that sense, they are more or less defenseless.”

At the time, he had hinted at changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine – the document that sets out the conditions under which Moscow would use nuclear weapons.

The Kremlin said Thursday that the changes outlined by Putin should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained the move to reporters: “It must be viewed as a specific signal – a signal warning these countries of the consequences if they take part in an attack on our country by various means, not necessarily nuclear weapons.”

Peskov said Russia would decide whether to not publish the updated nuclear documents, adding that adjustments to the document on state nuclear deterrence were being worked out.