MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Moscow, as it suspends its participation in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, remains committed to the principle that a nuclear war is unacceptable, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters on Wednesday.
"Certainly, of course, it can’t be any other way," he said, when asked that question.
Russia doesn’t plan to change its military doctrine after suspending the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the deputy minister said.
"If the situation warrants, an additional analysis will be conducted," he said.
According to the Russian nuclear deterrence policy of 2020, the use of nuclear weapons by Russia is possible in the event that the enemy uses this or other types of weapons of mass destruction against the Russian Federation and its allies, there’s reliable information about the launch of ballistic missiles to attack Russia and its allies, the enemy inflicts an impact on the facilities that are necessary for a retaliation by nuclear forces, as well as in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons, when the existence of the country is threatened.
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin in a address to the Federal Assembly said that Russia would suspend its participation in the New START, but wouldn’t withdraw from it. The head of state said that before returning to the discussion of compliance with the treaty, Russia should understand how the arsenals of not only the United States, but also other NATO nuclear powers - the UK and France - will be accounted for by the treaty. The State Duma on Wednesday unanimously adopted a law on the suspension of Russia's participation in the New START.