Western aggression could trigger Russian nuclear response
Moscow reserves the right to launch a nuclear strike in response to Western military aggression, Sergey Shoigu, secretary of Russia's National Security Council, has warned, citing last year's amendments to the country's nuclear doctrine.
The warning comes amid discussions in Western Europe about a possible deployment of troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal, as well as militarization plans in the EU.
According to the Russian security chief, Moscow 'is closely monitoring the military preparations of the EU countries.' Nuclear weapons may be used 'in the event of aggression' against Russia or Belarus, even in response to attacks with conventional weapons, Shoigu said an interview with TASS on Thursday.
He also noted calls by France and the UK for troop deployments to Ukraine following a possible ceasefire. Moscow has repeatedly warned against such steps, saying that unauthorized military personnel in Ukraine would be regarded as legitimate targets.
Shoigu reiterated to TASS that the presence of foreign troops in Ukraine could provoke a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO, potentially escalating into a nuclear war.
Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine last November following deliberations by Ukraine's backers on whether to allow Kiev to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expanded the list of conditions that could trigger a nuclear response. These include scenarios where aggression by a non-nuclear state or group of states, supported by a nuclear state, could be viewed as a 'joint attack.'
Ukrainian forces have since conducted multiple long-range strikes deep into Russian territory using Western-supplied arms.
The nuclear doctrine, however, describes nuclear weapons as 'an extreme and forced measure' and stresses Moscow's goal to prevent tensions.
Despite the ongoing peace process in the Ukraine conflict mediated by US President Donald Trump, the EU has pledged to continue to provide weapons to Kiev and has taken steps to militarize itself, including by approving the €800 billion ($910 billion) 'ReArm Europe Plan'.
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