A Russian hawk advocates for more stringent nuclear weapons policy

An influential foreign policy advocate has urged Russia to explicitly communicate its readiness to deploy nuclear weapons against nations that “support NATO’s aggression in Ukraine.”

Sergei Karaganov, in an interview with Kommersant newspaper, emphasized that Moscow could potentially execute a limited nuclear strike on a NATO member without escalating to a full-scale nuclear conflict.

He accused the United States of dishonesty regarding its assurances of nuclear protection for its allies. According to Karaganov, the primary objective of Russia’s nuclear strategy should be to instill confidence in both current and future adversaries that Russia is prepared to utilize nuclear arms.

Following Ukraine’s recent territorial gains in the Kursk region, he stated, “It is essential to announce our right to respond to any significant attacks on our territory with a nuclear response, which includes any occupation of our land.”

Western security analysts closely monitor Karaganov’s remarks as they reflect Russian perspectives on foreign, defense, and nuclear policies. While his views do not officially represent Kremlin policy, he has been given numerous platforms to express them, including direct discussions with President Vladimir Putin.

For over a year, he has been a leading voice advocating for revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which the Kremlin has indicated it will update.

The existing doctrine asserts that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear strike from another nation or a conventional attack that threatens the state’s survival.

Karaganov criticized this doctrine as reckless and potentially self-destructive, arguing that it fails to effectively deter adversaries and fosters the belief that there are few scenarios in which Russia would resort to nuclear weaponry.