Russian President Vladimir Putin has made headlines this week with a new proposal to revise Russia’s nuclear deterrence strategy, raising global concerns about the intensifying conflict in Ukraine. During a Security Council meeting on September 25, 2024, Putin suggested that any conventional attack on Russia by a non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear power, would be considered a “joint attack on the Russian Federation.” This shift in doctrine underscores Russia’s increasing sensitivity to Western support for Ukraine, particularly as Kyiv has continued to receive long-range weaponry from NATO allies.

Putin’s comments, which come as Russia marks over 18 months of war with Ukraine, are viewed as a warning to NATO countries against further involvement in the conflict. Western nations have been supplying Ukraine with advanced military equipment, including drones and long-range missiles, aimed at repelling Russian forces. Putin has long cautioned that such assistance could lead to direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

In addition to this nuclear doctrine revision, Putin emphasized that nuclear weapons would remain a critical defense measure to protect Russia’s sovereignty. He also reinforced Moscow’s commitment to global stability, asserting that Russia has always approached nuclear issues with responsibility, despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

This announcement follows a series of escalations in the Ukraine conflict, with Russian forces continuing to launch airstrikes on key Ukrainian cities, including Odesa and Kharkiv. The international community is watching closely, as this latest development adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation in Eastern Europe.