EU condemns Putin's new nuclear threats, calling them 'reckless'
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano (Getty Images)
The European Union has issued sharp criticism of the new nuclear threats from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who authorized a nuclear response to large-scale airstrikes on Russia, according to EU foreign policy representative Peter Stano.
The EU representative called the dictator's move "reckless and irresponsible."
"Not for the first time, Putin is playing [a] gamble with his nuclear arsenal," Stano said, emphasizing that the EU strongly rejects such threats.
Russia's plans to expand the use of nuclear weapons are causing concern in the West, especially in light of Ukraine’s requests for long-range weapons to strike Russian territory. The US and its allies fear an escalation of the conflict.
The Kremlin, on the other hand, sees these changes as a "specific signal" to the West. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed that the new rules should be taken seriously.
Western leaders have repeatedly accused Putin of nuclear blackmail amid the ongoing conflict. The EU representative condemned this move as particularly dangerous, given Russia's status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Backstory
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has once again resorted to nuclear threats. This time, he announced changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine that would expand the conditions for using the nuclear arsenal.
According to Putin, the new doctrine will allow for a nuclear strike in response to aggression against Russia from any non-nuclear state, if it is carried out with the involvement or support of a nuclear-armed state.
It also covers cases where Russia is subjected to a massive attack using strategic or tactical aviation, cruise missiles, or even drones, as well as aggression against Belarus. For more details, see the detailed RBC-Ukraine report.
