Putin did not rule out making changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine

Vladimir Putin, speaking at the SPIEF plenary session, did not rule out that Russia’s nuclear doctrine will have to be adjusted.

“This doctrine is a living instrument, and we are carefully watching what is happening in the world, around us, and do not rule out making some changes to this doctrine,” the president said.

As the head of state recalled, this document states that the use of nuclear weapons is possible in exceptional cases - when there is a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

“I don’t think that such a case has arisen,” Putin clarified.
Scenarios under which Russia could use nuclear weapons are set out in the Military Doctrine and in the “Fundamentals of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence.” According to the documents, this is possible in the event of aggression against Russia or its allies using weapons of mass destruction or aggression using conventional weapons, when the existence of the state itself is threatened.