MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Russia takes a responsible position and tries to prevent a nuclear conflict, hoping that the West will do the same, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"We have emphasized in the context of our nuclear doctrine that Russia takes a responsible position in terms of making maximum efforts to prevent such (nuclear - TASS) conflict," the spokesman said, commenting on the Pentagon's statement on the US readiness to exchange nuclear strikes. "We expect other countries to take the same responsible position and not to engage in provocative actions," Peskov emphasized.

US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) Spokesman Thomas Buchanan earlier said that while the United States is not seeking a nuclear exchange, it is prepared for such a scenario on the most acceptable terms.

Earlier, 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.