The evolving geopolitical landscape took a sharp turn with Russia’s recent revisions to its nuclear doctrine, sparking widespread international reactions. At the forefront of the response is NATO, which has largely dismissed the heightened nuclear rhetoric emanating from Moscow. Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in his final days in office, openly brushed off Russian President Vladimir Putin’s updated stance, reinforcing the bloc’s continued support for Ukraine. This marks yet another chapter in the ongoing proxy conflict between Russia and the West, one that increasingly involves military, political, and now nuclear dimensions.

On the surface, Putin’s latest nuclear doctrine may seem like a defensive maneuver. Citing increased threats from the West, Russia has proposed changes to when and how it might deploy nuclear weapons. The revisions include stipulations allowing the use of nuclear weapons in the event of a conventional attack on Belarus or other critical Russian allies. Additionally, nuclear force might be deployed if Russia receives “reliable information” about an incoming missile strike. Such language signals a broadening of the nuclear threat landscape, blurring the lines between conventional and nuclear responses.

For Moscow, this doctrine shift is a clear warning to the US and its allies. Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, NATO’s growing support for Kiev has irked the Kremlin, which perceives the war as a proxy battle with the West. The enhanced doctrine serves as a message to these Western powers: there are boundaries, and any violation of these could escalate into........

© Blitz