MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Russia adheres to its policy of nuclear deterrence in its updated nuclear and by no means indulges in saber rattling, President Vladimir Putin has said.
"We have clarified the basic principles of nuclear weapons use, which are outlined in the updated basic principles of the state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence. I want to emphasize once again so that no one has accused us of rattling nuclear weapons. It is a policy of nuclear deterrence," Putin said at the year-end meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.
On November 19, Putin signed a decree approving an updated nuclear doctrine. Its basic principle is nuclear weapons are the last resort to protect the country's sovereignty. In particular, the doctrine expands the group of states and military alliances subject to nuclear deterrence. The list of military threats that require such action to be neutralized has been supplemented. Aggression by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear country, will be considered their joint attack on Russia.