By means ofDavid Brennan and Patrick Reevell 
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 10:56 am
LONDON — Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that new changes to Russia’s nuclear weapons doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday mean that “the use of Western non-nuclear missiles by the armed forces of Ukraine against Russia could lead to a nuclear reaction.”
Peskov’s comments came shortly after US officials said President Joe Biden had approved Ukraine’s use of the American-made long-range MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System – colloquially known as ATACMS – to target targets in the western Kursk region of Russia.
The changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine were unveiled several weeks ago but only signed by Putin on Tuesday, after officials in Moscow expressed anger at the US decision to allow ATACMS use on Russian territory.
The doctrine now says that Russia can launch a nuclear attack on a country that assists a non-nuclear country in aggression against Russia that seriously threatens the country’s state integrity.
Moscow has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and its Western partners during its massive invasion of the country.
Western leaders, including President Joe Biden, have said avoiding a direct clash between Russia and NATO is a top priority given the danger of nuclear war.
This is a development story. Check back later for updates.
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