Russia: Nuclear Arms a Possibility in Response to Western Hostility
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Synopsis
On April 24, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, asserted that Russia retains the right to utilize nuclear weapons if provoked by Western aggression. He outlined Russia's nuclear deterrence policy and underscored the potential consequences of deploying peacekeepers in historical Russian territories.
Key Takeaways
- Russia may use nuclear weapons if attacked by the West.
- Recent amendments to nuclear deterrence policy were made in November 2024.
- Russia is closely monitoring military activities in Europe.
- Deployment of peacekeepers could lead to WWIII.
- Strategic deterrence initiatives were formalized in December 2024.
Moscow, April 24 (NationPress) The Russian Federation maintains the option to employ nuclear weapons if faced with aggression from Western nations, stated Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, on Thursday.
"In November 2024, amendments were made to the Fundamental Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation regarding Nuclear Deterrence, which affirm that Russia retains the right to utilize nuclear arms in response to aggression directed at it or Belarus, including through conventional military means," Shoigu conveyed during an interview with the state-owned news agency Tass.
The official noted that Russia is vigilantly observing military activities in Europe.
"In line with Russia’s National Security Strategy, should foreign nations engage in hostile actions that pose a threat to Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, our nation deems it appropriate to undertake necessary symmetric and asymmetric measures to counter such actions and prevent their recurrence," he reiterated.
Shoigu also emphasized that nuclear deterrence is executed with consideration for nations and military alliances that view Russia as a potential adversary and possess either weapons of mass destruction or conventional armed forces with significant military capabilities.
Additionally, he pointed out that such measures include countries providing their territory and resources to facilitate aggression against Russia.
"The objectives of safeguarding the integrity of Russia and Belarus’ unified defense space and the joint execution of strategic deterrence initiatives were outlined in the Security Concept of the Union State and the Treaty on security guarantees between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, ratified in December 2024, developed with the direct involvement of the security councils of both nations," Shoigu remarked.
The senior Russian security official further cautioned that any deployment of peacekeepers to historic Russian territories could potentially trigger a third World War.
Shoigu highlighted plans by the so-called "coalition of the willing" to deploy troops in Ukraine under the pretense of peacekeeping.
"Prudent politicians in Europe recognize that executing this scenario could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, or even escalate into WWIII in the future," he asserted.
