Putin orders changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine

The president has suggested several new criteria that would merit a nuclear response

Russia should update its nuclear doctrine to clearly define circumstances that would prompt Moscow to launch a nuclear strike, President Vladimir Putin told a meeting of the national security council on Wednesday. He also suggested an expanded list of such reasons that would include “reliable information” of a major airstrike being launched against Russia.

A list of threats and of nations or military blocs that require a nuclear deterrent from Russia should be expanded in the updated version of the doctrine, Putin told the meeting.

“Aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state… supported by a nuclear power should be treated as their joint attack,” the president said.

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