MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Russia's updated nuclear doctrine was made public as planned, President Vladimir Putin provided instructions ahead of time, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

In response to a question about whether the publication of the updated doctrine today is connected to media reports about the US decision to allow Ukraine to use American ATACMS missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, the spokesman said: "[Russian] President [Vladimir Putin] gave the relevant instructions prior. The president himself stated that the preparation of the amendments was in the final stage. The updated document was released on schedule."

Earlier today, Putin signed a decree ratifying the updated nuclear doctrine, Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence. The core principle of the document is that nuclear weapons are the last resort to safeguard the country's sovereignty.

Specifically, the document broadens the scope of countries and alliances subject to nuclear deterrence. The list of military threats against which nuclear deterrence can be employed has also been revised. Aggression from any non-nuclear state, with the involvement or support of a nuclear state, will be treated as a joint attack on Russia.