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Moscow:
Today, Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear warning to the West in response to a potential "massive" air assault on Russia. This includes the use of cruise missiles that the UK has provided to Ukraine, enabling Kyiv to target deep within Russian territory.
Putin's comments followed an urgent meeting with Moscow's top security council to address Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy.
This threat arises amid growing concerns in Moscow regarding Western powers, particularly the UK and US, permitting Ukraine to employ cruise missiles against Russia.
Last week, the UK reportedly authorized the use of its 'Storm Shadow' cruise missile for strikes against Russia. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer even traveled to Washington, DC, to meet with US President Joe Biden. The two leaders discussed Ukraine's potential use of these weapons on Russian territory.
Russian intelligence had already indicated such a possibility and stated earlier this month that "It has become necessary for Moscow to revise its nuclear doctrine due to the West's escalation of the conflict in Ukraine."
In response to reports that the US and UK might grant Ukraine permission to launch cruise missiles into Russia, President Putin noted this month that "The West would be directly engaged in combat with Russia if it granted such permission to Ukraine," adding that Moscow would have to make "appropriate decisions" in that scenario.
RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR DOCTRINE & TREATY WITH THE US
Russia holds the status of the world’s largest nuclear power, with both Russia and the United States controlling 88% of the globe's nuclear arsenal.
The current nuclear doctrine was established by Vladimir Putin four years ago, prior to the outbreak of war in Ukraine. This doctrine stipulates that Russia may resort to nuclear weapons if it faces a nuclear attack or if a conventional assault poses a threat to its existence.
The United States and Russia are bound by the US-Russia New START Treaty, which took effect on February 5, 2011.
Under this treaty, both nations had seven years to comply with its primary limits on strategic offensive arms (by February 5, 2018) and are obligated to uphold those limits for the duration of the treaty.
According to the US State Department, this treaty strengthens US national security by imposing verifiable limits on all Russian-deployed intercontinental-range nuclear weapons. The United States and Russia have agreed to extend the treaty until February 4, 2026.
A Reuters report indicated that the Kremlin stated any discussions about a successor to the US-Russia New START Treaty, set to expire in 2026, would need to consider the nuclear capabilities of Europe--specifically, the arsenals of the UK and France.