Türkiye calls on NATO to review Russia's new nuclear doctrine
Turkish President calls Russia's announcement of new nuclear doctrine a retaliatory measure.
According to RIA Novosti, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on November 19 that Russia's update of its nuclear doctrine was a response to NATO's actions.
"I think that this position of Russia is first of all a measure taken in response to what is against them. This step of Russia should be considered by NATO officials," President Erdogan said.
The Turkish leader stressed that Russia has enough forces and means to defend itself. Mr. Erdogan added that the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance must also think about their own defense.
President Erdogan also noted that Russia and Ukraine are Türkiye's neighbors, so Ankara must pay attention to its relations with both countries. Erdogan expressed hope that a ceasefire and peace can be achieved as soon as possible.
According to multiple sources, the Turkish president will propose to Ukraine to postpone NATO accession talks for at least 10 years as a "concession" to Russia. According to the same source, Mr. Erdogan's proposal stipulates the establishment of a "demilitarized zone" in eastern Donbass. Mr. Erdogan will offer to station "international troops" on this territory as an "additional guarantee" for Kiev and assure Ukraine that it will receive support in the form of military supplies, if it agrees not to join NATO.
The Turkish authorities admit that it would be difficult for Ukraine to agree to such a deal, but they believe that this approach to resolving the conflict is the most realistic.
On November 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the Fundamental Principles of State Policy in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence. Among other things, the document states that the condition determining the possibility of Moscow using nuclear weapons will be the massive launch of aerospace attack weapons against Russia, including cruise missiles and drones, as well as their crossing of the Russian border.
In addition, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies. The document also notes that an act of aggression against Moscow or its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack.
