WW3 fears explode as Russia warns it could make nuclear doctrine 'amendments'
The current doctrine states that Russia can use atomic weapons if it thinks there is a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia could make changes to its nuclear doctrine due to the ongoing war with Ukraine, a top official has claimed in a significant escalation of WW3 fears.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russian foreign policy magazine International Affairs that the war means "nuclear deterrence in its traditional sense does not work fully" and there must be "conceptual additions and amendments".
He added that there will eventually be "more concrete approaches" to "further escalation on the part of our adversaries".
This sentiment has been echoed by Vladimir Putin, who said that his country is "closely watching what is happening in the world" and will "not rule out making any changes to this doctrine".
The current doctrine states that Russia can use atomic weapons if it thinks there is a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite this, Putin also said that he does not need nuclear weapons to achieve his goals in Ukraine, but has still overseen tactical nuclear weapons drills in southern Russia with Belarus - one of his few allies.
He called Russia's current nuclear doctrine a "living instrument" that could be subject to changes while speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum last month. He added: "It mustn’t be treated in a light, superficial way."
Putin warned that Kyiv’s strikes on Russian soil with Western-supplied longer-range weapons would mark a major escalation because they would involve Western intelligence and military personnel — something the West denies.
He said: "Representatives of NATO members, particularly in small countries of Europe, should be aware of what they are playing with.
"The constant escalation could lead to grave consequences. If those grave consequences come to Europe, how will the US act in view of our parity in strategic weapons? Hard to say. Do they want a global conflict?"
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Former president Dmitry Medvedev is also known for his posturing around nuclear weapons, as well as prominent Kremlin propagandists who have suggested striking Western allies of Ukraine.
Last month, Dmitri Trenin from the Russian think tank the Institute of World Economy and International Relations said his country's nuclear doctrine should be changed to allow the use of atomic weapons when "core national interests are at stake".
He added that Moscow must "persuade" the West that "they won't be able to stay comfortable and fully protected after provoking conflict with Russia".
Ever since launching the invasion in February 2022, Putin has repeatedly referred to Russia’s nuclear might to discourage Western intervention.
The United States and NATO criticised the nuclear sabre-rattling but said they hadn’t seen any changes in Russia’s nuclear posture warranting a response.