BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) on Thursday firmly rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement regarding the expansion of Russia’s nuclear doctrine in response to a massive air attack on Russia, terming it as “reckless and irresponsible.”
On Wednesday, Putin announced an updated nuclear doctrine that would allow the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states when they are supported by nuclear powers — a clear reference to Ukraine and its Western allies.
During a press briefing on Thursday, EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano emphasized the seriousness of Putin’s threats. “Not for the first time, Putin is playing a gamble with his nuclear arsenal. We of course strongly reject these threats,” he stated.
Putin’s updated nuclear policy allows for a nuclear response to non-nuclear states, which he claims could include Ukraine if it receives backing from its Western allies.
This announcement coincided with Ukraine’s calls for long-range weaponry from its allies to target critical Russian military infrastructure, including airfields that are utilized for launching assaults on Ukrainian territory.
However, the United States and other Western nations remain cautious, and wary of actions that could escalate the conflict further.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov termed the changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine as a “specific signal” to the West. This statement reinforces the perception that Russia views its nuclear capabilities as a tool of deterrence amid increasing military support for Ukraine from Western nations.
Stano criticized Putin’s actions as part of a broader pattern of “irresponsible and unacceptable behavior” shown by the Russian leader, especially as many world leaders convened for the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He pointed out that such nuclear saber-rattling is particularly alarming coming from the leader of a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The ongoing situation raises alarm bells in Western capitals, where officials have accused Putin of engaging in nuclear blackmail throughout the protracted Ukraine conflict. The prospect of nuclear weapons being employed in any capacity has heightened fears of escalation.
Putin specified that Russia may respond with nuclear force if it faces aggression from non-nuclear states that is backed by nuclear-armed nations. This includes scenarios where Russia experiences a massive attack utilizing strategic or tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, or drones, as well as any aggression directed toward Belarus, an ally of Russia.
