If Western long-range missiles hit Russia, Putin may respond with nuclear weapons
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a revised nuclear doctrine. It can be considered a response to US President Joe Biden's authorisation of Ukraine to use Western long-range weapons to attack Russian territory.
According to the modified Russian doctrine, an attack by a country without nuclear weapons (as in this case Ukraine) but which receives the support of a country with nuclear weapons (in this case the US) can be considered an attack by these two countries. In case of such an attack, Russia could then deploy nuclear weapons.
Even though the long-range missiles may only be deployed in the Kursk region and not, for instance, to hit Moscow, the Russians consider Biden's authorisation a ‘provocation’.
On the other hand, the Kremlin will also be aware that it is a decision by a outgoing president and it is quite possible that Donald Trump, the next president, could reverse this decision in a heartbeat. In his election campaign, Trump repeatedly stated that he would resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ‘in 24 hours’.
(HL/Source: Agencies/Illustration picture: Pixabay)