Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia would consider an attack from a non-nuclear state, backed by a nuclear-armed nation, as a "joint attack," which could trigger a nuclear response under proposed changes.
In key remarks during a televised Security Council meeting on Wednesday night, Putin outlined amendments to the rules and conditions under which Russia might resort to using its nuclear arsenal.
Here is the full text transcript of the televised portion of the meeting:
Putin:
Good day, esteemed colleagues!
Today, we are here for a scheduled event—the Standing Meeting on Nuclear Deterrence, which we hold twice a year. On today’s agenda, we will discuss the update to the Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence.
Alongside the Military Doctrine, this document formally defines and details Russia's nuclear strategy. It primarily establishes the core principle of nuclear weapons use, namely, that nuclear forces are employed as an extreme measure to defend the country’s sovereignty.
I want to emphasize that we have always approached such matters with the utmost responsibility. Fully aware of the immense power of this weapon, we have worked to strengthen the international legal framework for global stability and to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and their components.
Today, the nuclear triad remains the most crucial guarantee for ensuring the security of our state and its citizens, as well as a tool for maintaining strategic parity and balance of power in the world.
At the same time, we see that the current military-political environment is changing rapidly, and we must take this into account. This includes the emergence of new sources of military threats and risks to Russia and our allies.
It is important to anticipate how the situation will develop and, accordingly, adapt the strategic planning document to present-day realities.
Over the past year, specialists from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Security Council, and other agencies conducted a thorough, comprehensive analysis and assessed the need to adjust our approach to the potential use of nuclear forces. Based on this work, several revisions have been proposed, particularly regarding the conditions under which nuclear weapons may be used.
For instance, the updated draft of the Basic Principles expands the category of states and military alliances subject to nuclear deterrence. It also broadens the list of military threats that nuclear deterrence measures aim to neutralize.
I would like to draw your special attention to the fact that the updated version of the document proposes that any aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state, but with the involvement or support of a nuclear state, be regarded as a joint attack on the Russian Federation.
Additionally, the conditions for Russia’s transition to the use of nuclear weapons are clearly specified. We will consider this option if we receive reliable information about the mass launch of aerospace attack systems and their crossing of our national borders. This includes strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic, and other airborne vehicles.
We also reserve the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against Russia and Belarus as a member of the Union State. All these issues have been coordinated with the Belarusian side and the President of Belarus. This includes situations where the adversary, using conventional weapons, creates a critical threat to our sovereignty.
In conclusion, I note that all adjustments have been carefully considered and are proportionate to the modern military threats and risks faced by the Russian Federation.
Let’s get to work. I now give the floor to Defense Minister Andrey Belousov to continue.
[the rest of the meeting was behind closed doors]
