Russia could soon make major “amendments” to its current nuclear strategy as a close ally to Vladimir Putin issued a chilling warning.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov suggested the ongoing war in Ukraine could force Moscow to change its current nuclear doctrine as he echoed Putin and former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
But taking the notion a step further, Ryabkov warned that “nuclear deterrence in its traditional sense does not work fully”.
Speaking to the Russian foreign policy magazine International Affairs he instead suggested Russia’s current nuclear strategy needs “conceptual additions and amendments.”
Ryabkov said the Kremlin is pondering “more concrete approaches” in response to “further escalation on the part of our adversaries” as he reiterated Moscow’s stance that the West is escalating tensions.
Russian Defense Ministry videos showed Iskander missile launchers, nuclear-capable warplanes and sea-launched missiles.
The Kremlin described the exercises as a response to the West pondering the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine and allowing Kyiv to use longer-range weapons for limited strikes on Russian territory.
Ever since launching the Feb. 24, 2022, invasion, Putin has repeatedly referred to Russia’s nuclear might to discourage Western intervention.
The United States and NATO criticised the nuclear sabre-rattling but said they haven’t seen any changes in Russia‘s nuclear posture warranting a response.
After early setbacks in Ukraine, Putin said Moscow was prepared to use “all means” to protect Russian territory, fueling fears he could turn to tactical nuclear weapons to halt Kyiv’s advances.
Putin later toned down his rhetoric after Ukraine‘s 2023 counteroffensive didn’t achieve its goals.
