Putin signs revised Russian nuclear doctrine

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on Tuesday a decree approving Moscow's updated nuclear doctrine.

According to the document, published on the government portal's website, aggression against Russia and its allies by a non-nuclear country with the support of a nuclear state will be considered as a joint attack.

Also, Russia may use nuclear weapons in a critical threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to its allied state -- Belarus.

The revised doctrine also includes a list of opponents against whom nuclear deterrence is being implemented and conditions for its use, including the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the Russian territory.

If a state provides its territory and resources for aggression against Russia, it is the basis for the nuclear deterrence of such a state, the updated doctrine suggests.

Putin announced the changes in his address at the biannual standing conference on nuclear deterrence on Sept. 25, where he emphasized the urgency of revising the document, which, prior to the current revisions, designated the use of nuclear forces as a “last resort” to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.