Russia may clarify nuclear doctrine in face of NATO threat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on June 18 that Russia may have to clarify its nuclear doctrine due to threats from NATO.

“Recent experience, including that gained in the Northern Military District, and analysis of the Western collective dynamics model in relation to the Northern Military District, shows that it is necessary to clarify some parameters applicable to situations described both in military doctrine and in the country's Basic Principles in the sphere of nuclear deterrence,” the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said.

Previously, on June 17, in an interview with the Telegraph, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the bloc's member countries are discussing putting the alliance's nuclear warheads on alert.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov stressed that such statements are threatening in nature. According to Mr. Ryabkov, Russia has been clarifying its nuclear doctrine.

“I am not ready to talk about any timeframe, scope or schedule for this work. In any case, everyone should understand that we are approaching this topic extremely responsibly,” said Deputy Minister Ryabkov.

The Russian diplomat added that the country's experts responsible for the nuclear component ensure that this work is carried out systematically.

Commenting on the statements of the NATO Secretary General, the Press Secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, said that such words lead to increased tensions.

In early June, speaking at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons to win. However, the leader warned that the use of such weapons should not be taken lightly.

Theoretically, the scenarios of Russia's use of nuclear weapons are clearly outlined in the military doctrine and in the “Fundamentals of state policy in the sphere of nuclear deterrence”.