​​Putin Proposes Changes to Russia’s Nuclear Policy Amid Growing Global Threats

 Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed significant changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, potentially altering how the country responds to military threats. These changes could have a profound impact on the ongoing war with Ukraine. During a televised meeting on September 25, Putin suggested that Russia may treat an attack from a non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear-armed nation, as a “joint attack” on Russia. This shift could be seen as a threat to use nuclear weapons in the conflict with Ukraine, which receives military support from the United States and other nuclear-capable allies.

Putin’s remarks came as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travelled to the US to meet with President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy seeks approval to use long-range Western missiles to target military sites inside Russia, which Ukraine claims are being used to launch missile strikes on its territory. Kyiv has increasingly pushed into Russian territory, making Putin’s nuclear rhetoric even more alarming. Ukraine has criticized this as nuclear “sabre-rattling” aimed at deterring its allies from providing further support.

Putin’s proposed changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine include clearer rules on when the country might use nuclear weapons. He stated that Russia would consider deploying its nuclear arsenal if it detects a large-scale missile, drone, or aircraft attack entering its territory, posing a “critical threat” to its sovereignty. Putin emphasized that Russia’s nuclear weapons remain the primary guarantee of national security and that the current geopolitical climate requires adjustments to these strategies.

The proposed changes would also extend to Russia’s ally Belarus, with Putin asserting that any attack on either Russia or Belarus, even with conventional weapons, could lead to a nuclear response. This reinforces Moscow’s intent to broaden its defensive posture in the face of perceived threats from NATO-aligned countries.

Additionally, Putin’s comments have sparked concern from global leaders. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the remarks as “irresponsible,” while Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak, dismissed them as nuclear blackmail. Even China, a Russian ally, has reportedly advised caution, with President Xi Jinping warning Putin against the use of nuclear weapons.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later clarified that these changes should be seen as a warning to the West. He said the updates to Russia’s nuclear policy signal that any form of attack on Russia, even if supported by non-nuclear states, could lead to severe consequences. Peskov also hinted that Russia is still deciding whether or not to make these revised nuclear documents public, as they are currently being formulated.

The timing of these proposed updates follows Putin’s earlier warning to European countries, where he pointed out Russia’s tactical nuclear advantage over Europe. In June, Putin mentioned that Russia had “many more” tactical nuclear weapons than any European country, even if US weapons were factored in. He further noted Europe’s lack of a developed early warning system, suggesting that the continent is vulnerable to a potential nuclear strike.

Since the end of World War II, nuclear deterrence has been a cornerstone of global security, built on the idea of mutually assured destruction. However, Putin’s focus on tactical nuclear weapons indicates a shift in strategy that could escalate the conflict with Ukraine and heighten tensions with the West.

These proposed changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine represent a dramatic escalation in rhetoric and could reshape how the world responds to nuclear threats.

Sources:

•  Le Monde, “Putin proposes changes to Russian nuclear deterrence doctrine” https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/09/25/putin-proposes-changes-to-russian-nuclear-deterrence-doctrine_6727257_4.html
• Frances Mao, BBC, “Putin proposes new rules for using nuclear weapons”,https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yjej0rvw0o

Moldova Prepares for the Upcoming Elections and Referendum amid Russian Disinformation Campaign

Looming presidential elections and EU referendum in Moldova, held on October 20, have been targeted by Russian disinformation campaigns, with estimated costs of 100 million EUR. To counter the campaign, Moldova banned several Russian websites.

Both the presidential elections and the EU referendum in Moldova this fall present a critical crossroad in Moldova´s (European) future. In the presidential elections, the current president, Maia Sandu, is seeking re-election, hoping to continue the EU accession talks that started this June. Her main opponent, former Prosecutor General Stoianoglo, charged with several counts of corruption and bribery, calls for maintaining Moldova´s neutrality and balanced partnership between the EU and Russia. Latest polls predict that Sandu is leading with 47 per cent of decided voters, while Stoianoglo trails with 13. However, 18 per cent of undecided voters make the election unpredictable.

The polls estimate around 64% of decided voters will vote ‘yes’ and 36% ‘no’ in the referendum on joining the EU. The referendum is especially targeted by the Kremlin disinformation campaign, seeking to convince voters of the EU’s imminent decline, the impossibility of Moldova joining the EU, and to warn that closer ties with Europe could drag Moldova into the Russian war against Ukraine. Moldova’s national security adviser, Stanislav Secrieru, called the Russian disinformation campaign an “unprecedented onslaught”, as its intensity, diverse arsenal of tactics, and massive influx of dirty money has not been used to such extent in Moldova and revealed the Russian campaign will cost around 100 million EUR.

To counter the disinformation campaign, Moldova blocked five Russian media outlets, stating they present national security risks.

Sources:

• Henry Foy, Financial Times, “Moldova warns of the Russian campaign to derail its EU membership referendum”, https://www.ft.com/content/5cefc9b2-e7ed-48f6-9b39-3365e1e9b738
• Gabriel Gavin, POLITICO, “Moldova accuses Russia of trying to rig its EU referendum”,https://www.politico.eu/article/moldova-russia-eu-referendum-membership-social-media/
• David Smith, Euractiv, “Moldova prepares to vote in high stakes EU referendum and presidential election”, https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/moldova-prepares-to-vote-in-high-stakes-eu-referendum-and-presidential-election/
• Radio Free Europe, “Moldova Blocks Russian Websites Ahead Of EU Referendum, Presidential Vote”, https://www.rferl.org/a/33136220.html