Putin updates nuclear doctrine, lowers threshold for use in response to Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin has updated Russia's nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons. This change comes after the U.S. allowed Ukraine to use American missiles to strike inside Russia. The new doctrine states that Russia could respond with nuclear force if attacked by a non-nuclear country supported by a nuclear state. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that this response would be a last resort. This update reflects heightened tensions following U.S. policy changes and warnings from Putin about the implications of Western military support for Ukraine. The Kremlin condemned the U.S. for escalating the conflict.