Kremlin: Russia is Updating Its Nuclear Doctrine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, citing previous statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, that "Russia, the largest nuclear power in the world, has begun updating its nuclear doctrine." He added at a press conference: "President Putin said that work is underway to align the doctrine with current realities." Additionally, the Chairman of the Defense Committee in the Russian State Duma, Andrei Kartapolov, stated on Sunday that Russia could shorten the timeframe set in its official policy for making a decision regarding the use of nuclear weapons if it perceives an increase in threats it faces. Last month, Putin remarked that "Russia may change its official nuclear doctrine that defines the conditions under which such weapons could be used." The war in Ukraine has sparked the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.