Putin lowers nuclear response threshold in wake of US missile support for Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin has officially lowered Russia's threshold for using nuclear weapons. This change aligns with the U.S. decision to provide long-range missiles to Ukraine, allowing Russia to respond to conventional attacks that threaten its sovereignty. The revised nuclear doctrine states that Russia may use nuclear arms if attacked by a nation supported by a nuclear power. This marks a shift from the previous doctrine, which required a more severe threat to Russia's existence for a nuclear response. The new policy suggests that attacks on Russia or its allies, even by non-nuclear states with nuclear support, could be seen as a joint attack. This development raises concerns about potential nuclear responses to U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict.