Putin increases nuclear weapon threat as UK expected to sign off missile strikes
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine to lower the bar for future nuclear weapon use.
The updated doctrine, first announced in September but signed by Putin this week, declares that an attack using conventional weapons by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will now be considered a joint attack on Russia. It does not specify whether a joint attack will trigger a nuclear response.
But the doctrine does declare that a massive aerial attack against Russia could trigger a nuclear response.
It comes as the UK is expected to allow Ukraine to fire Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory, as prime minister Keir Starmer says it is time to “double down” on support for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden previously agreed to permit the American long range Atacms missiles to be fired into Russia, finally relaxing its stance after months of lobbying by Kyiv and other western countries.
The Kremlin has accused the US of adding “fuel to the fire”, and said the move “will mean Nato countries – the US and European countries – are at war with Russia”.