Putin Considering Changing The Doctrine For The Use Of Russian Nuclear Weapons

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un/DOK TASS

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia was thinking about a possible change in its doctrine regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

The existing doctrine states Russia could use nuclear weapons in response to nuclear attacks or in the event of a conventional attack that poses a real threat to the country.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, several aggressive Russian military analysts have recommended that Russia lower its nuclear use threshold.

But Putin said Russia does not need to carry out preventive nuclear attacks.

He spoke to reporters the day after visiting North Korea with nuclear weapons to attend a summit with its leader, Kim Jong Un.

The two leaders signed an agreement in which each party promised to immediately provide military assistance to other parties in the event of armed aggression against one of them.

Russian state media quoted Putin as saying Moscow hopes its cooperation with North Korea will serve as a preventive tool for the West, but there is no need to use North Korean troops in war in Ukraine.