Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression, particularly if conventional weapons pose a critical threat to the nation’s sovereignty. Speaking at a Security Council meeting on nuclear deterrence, Putin outlined the conditions under which Russia might deploy its nuclear arsenal, including when faced with conventional military threats or aggression backed by a nuclear-armed state.
Putin called for an update to Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy, stating that it must adapt to the evolving global security landscape. He emphasized that any aggression from a non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear-armed ally, would be treated as a joint attack on Russia.
Additionally, Russia could consider nuclear retaliation upon detecting reliable intelligence about a massive aerospace attack, including the use of strategic or tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and hypersonic weapons targeting its borders.
Putin stressed that Russia’s deterrence strategy is “carefully calibrated” to respond proportionately to modern military threats and reiterated that the country approaches the use of nuclear forces with the utmost responsibility.
