The Kremlin explained the importance of the updated nuclear doctrine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, having signed a decree on updating the state's nuclear doctrine, has approved the foundations of the state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence in order to bring them in line with the current situation. This was stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on November 19.

He noted that the text of the decree is very important and should be subject to very deep analysis both in Russia and abroad.

"It was necessary to bring our fundamentals in line with the current situation, this is the first thing. The second is that Russia has always viewed nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence, the use of which is an extreme forced measure. And Russia has always taken a responsible position and applied the necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent the aggravation of interstate relations," the Russian leader's spokesman pointed out at a briefing.

Peskov clarified that the document enshrines a clause on the inevitability of punishment for an attack on Russia or its allies.

"Nuclear deterrence is aimed at ensuring that potential adversaries understand the inevitability of retaliation in case of aggression against Russia and/or its allies. The document is extremely important, analyze it," he stressed.

Earlier on November 19, Putin approved the updated nuclear doctrine of the state. The similar doctrine of 2020 was recognized as invalid. The updated document includes amendments that the head of state announced in September. In particular, for the first time a definition of a potential adversary against whom the Russian Federation is conducting nuclear deterrence is introduced.

In addition, the conceptual basis for a nuclear strike is clarified. The Russian Federation reserves the right to use it in response to the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies. Another ground is aggression against Russia or Belarus as members of the Union State with the use of conventional weapons in case of a critical threat to their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prior to that, on September 25, Putin said it was necessary to adapt the foundations of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence to modern realities. At that time, he said that after analysis, the Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and Security Council had proposed a number of changes to more clearly fix the conditions for Russia's transition to the use of nuclear weapons.

Peskov pointed out the next day that the update of Russia's nuclear doctrine should be considered a certain signal to unfriendly countries.