MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. The United States would be wise to reconsider its previous actions after the publication of Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, the deputy head of Institute of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries told TASS.

"It is still unclear whether the US authorities have indeed allowed strikes deep into Russia or not," Vladimir Zharikhin pointed out. "The uncertainty stems from the fact that there now is a confusion among the US leadership regarding their next steps," he pointed out. According to the expert, now Washington "has to take another look at its steps and the consequences therein in view of the new Russian doctrine." "This is where the ambiguity, uncertainty and different information regarding permission to attack deep into Russia with long-range missiles come from. It seems that they are still deliberating on the issue," the expert explained.

The New York Times reported on November 17, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia. France’s Le Figaro newspaper, in turn, said that Paris and London had granted similar permission for the use of their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles, respectively. The newspaper later removed the article from its website without explanation. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that Paris had not changed its stance on strikes deep inside Russia. The German government confirmed that the United States had informed Berlin of the decision to authorize strikes inside Russia.

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia. He noted that the issue had been discussed at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting but the parties had failed to come to a consensus on lifting the restrictions, ruling that every member state would decide for itself.

About doctrine

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed to update the country’s nuclear doctrine, the Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence. The core principle remains the same: nuclear weapons are a last resort to ensure the protection of the country's sovereignty. At the same time, parameters have been added that allow the use of nuclear weapons in case of new military threats and risks for Russia.

In particular, the document expanded the category of countries and military alliances that would be subject to nuclear deterrence. For example, the aggression of any non-nuclear state acting with the participation or support of a nuclear state will be considered a joint attack on Russia. In addition, the document expands the list of military threats that require such actions. Russia can respond with nuclear force if it perceives a critical threat to its sovereignty even with an ordinary weapon, as well as in case of an attack on Belarus as a member of the Union State, in case of receiving credible information about a massive attack of a group of military jets, cruise missiles, drones and other UAVs crossing the Russian state border.