Putin updates nuclear policy as US permits long-range missiles for Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new decree allowing the use of nuclear weapons "under threat." This update to Russia's nuclear doctrine comes amid rising fears of global conflict and follows the U.S. decision to permit Ukraine to use long-range missiles. The new document clarifies the conditions for nuclear weapon use, stating they are an "extreme measure" for protecting national sovereignty. This change updates a previous version from June 2020 and reflects ongoing military tensions. The decree follows recent missile strikes in Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the U.S. decision to allow strikes on Russian targets will have significant implications, asserting that actions will speak louder than words.