INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Kremlin said Thursday that an updated nuclear doctrine allowing Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states should be seen
as a warning to the West.Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Russia's rules on the use of its nuclear
stockpiles, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.The proposals would also permit Moscow to
and its Western backers.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the planned changes "must be considered a specific signal.""A signal that warns
these countries of the consequences if they participate in an attack on our country by various means, not necessarily nuclear," Peskov told
reporters.Without mentioning Ukraine by name, Peskov said Russia's "nuclear deterrence is being adjusted on account of elements of tension
that are developing along the perimeter of our borders."He also said there was "no question" of Russia boosting its nuclear arsenal.The
proposed changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine, which Putin himself has the power to approve, come as Ukraine is seeking permission from
target Russia's airfields and military infrastructure that it uses to launch attacks on Ukraine, though the White House is cautious about
enabling further escalation.The West has accused Putin of irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling throughout the Ukraine war, with the Kremlin
leader having issued multiple threats about Moscow's willingness to deploy its nuclear weapons.
