The Kremlin announced on Thursday that the modifications to Russia’s nuclear weapons doctrine, as articulated by President Vladimir Putin, should be interpreted as a warning to Western nations regarding the repercussions of their involvement in attacks against Russia.

Putin indicated on Wednesday that Russia might resort to nuclear weapons if it were targeted by conventional missiles, asserting that any assault on Russia backed by a nuclear state would be regarded as a collective attack.

The alteration of Russia’s official nuclear doctrine is a response from the Kremlin to discussions in the United States and the United Kingdom concerning the potential authorization for Ukraine to launch conventional Western missiles into Russian territory.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that revisions to a document titled “The Foundations of State Policy in the Sphere of Nuclear Deterrence” have been established.

When questioned by journalists about whether these changes served as a message to the West, Peskov affirmed, “This should be considered a definite signal.”

He elaborated, stating, “This is a warning to these nations about the consequences of their participation in any form of attack on our country, not limited to nuclear means.”

Peskov characterized the current global situation as an “unprecedented confrontation,” which he attributed to the “direct involvement of Western nations, including nuclear powers,” in the conflict in Ukraine.

He also mentioned that a decision regarding the publication of the nuclear documents would be made at a later time.

Russia’s existing nuclear doctrine, articulated in a decree by President Putin in 2020, indicates that the country may resort to nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear strike from an adversary or a conventional assault that poses a threat to the nation’s survival.

When inquired about whether the potential abandonment of a post-Soviet moratorium on nuclear testing was part of the discussions regarding these changes, Peskov stated that he was unable to provide an answer, as the meeting held on Wednesday was largely classified.