President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday that Russia might resort to nuclear weapons if it faces an attack from any nation, asserting that a conventional assault on Russia backed by a nuclear power would be regarded as a collective attack.

During a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, which included senior officials, Putin mentioned that there have been suggestions to revise Russia’s nuclear doctrine and emphasized a significant proposed amendment.

“It is suggested that any aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state, if supported or aided by a nuclear state, should be viewed as a joint attack on the Russian Federation,” Putin remarked.

He further clarified, “The criteria for Russia’s shift to nuclear weapon usage are explicitly defined,” noting that Moscow would contemplate such an action if it identified the initiation of a large-scale missile, aircraft, or drone assault against it.

Russia, according to Putin, has asserted its right to deploy nuclear weapons in the event of aggression directed at itself or Belarus, even if such aggression involves conventional arms.

He emphasized that these clarifications are meticulously measured and aligned with the contemporary military challenges confronting Russia.

Russia needs to revise its nuclear doctrine to explicitly outline the conditions under which it would initiate a nuclear strike, President Vladimir Putin stated during a national security council meeting on Wednesday. He proposed an expanded set of criteria, which would include “reliable information” indicating that a significant airstrike is being prepared against Russia.

Putin emphasized the necessity of broadening the list of threats and the nations or military alliances that would warrant a nuclear deterrent from Russia in the updated doctrine.

He asserted, “Any aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state, with support from a nuclear power, should be regarded as a joint attack.”

Furthermore, Moscow would “consider” a nuclear response if it receives “reliable information” about a “massive” missile or airstrike launched by another country against Russia. The potential weapons involved in such an attack could range from ballistic and cruise missiles to strategic bombers and drones, he noted.

“We reserve the right to employ nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against Russia and Belarus,” the president stated, adding that this principle has already been coordinated with Minsk. He clarified that nuclear weapons could be utilized if an adversary poses a “critical threat to the sovereignty of either state through conventional means.”

Putin did not specify when the revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine would be implemented. Senior officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, have been discussing possible updates to the doctrine in recent months. In late August, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned that the document is “under review.”

Historically, the Russian leader has maintained a cautious stance regarding nuclear weapons. In June, he expressed hope that a nuclear confrontation between Moscow and the West would never occur.

Moscow “has no justification to even consider” the use of nuclear weapons, the president remarked during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Later that month, he emphasized that Russia had no necessity to initiate a pre-emptive nuclear attack, asserting that “the adversary is assured of being annihilated in a retaliatory strike.” Nevertheless, he did not dismiss the possibility of adjustments to the doctrine at that time.