Putin signs revised nuclear doctrine lowering threshold for nuclear weapon use
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for using nuclear weapons. The new policy states that a conventional attack on Russia, supported by a nuclear power, will be viewed as a joint attack. This update follows reports that the U.S. will allow Ukraine to use longer-range missiles against Russian targets. The revised doctrine expands the conditions under which Russia might use nuclear weapons, including responses to massive aerial attacks. The doctrine also indicates that aggression against Belarus, a close ally of Russia, could trigger a nuclear response. This marks a significant shift from the previous version, which had more limited criteria for nuclear engagement.