The Russian president made significant remarks on Wednesday night, indicating that his administration was thinking about modifying the guidelines and requirements for Russia’s use of its nuclear weapons.
The US and other nuclear-armed nations provide military support to Ukraine, a non-nuclear state.
His remarks coincide with Kyiv’s request for authorization to launch long-range Western weapons against Russian military installations.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday after traveling to the US this week.
This year, Ukraine has advanced into Russian territory with the intention of attacking Russian sites that it claims are firing missiles into Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak, the chief of staff for Zelensky, responded to Putin’s comments by saying that Russia “no longer has anything other than nuclear blackmail to intimidate the world”.
Putin has already threatened to deploy nuclear weapons. It has been criticized by Ukraine as “nuclear sabre-rattling” meant to dissuade its friends from giving it more assistance.
China, a Russian ally, has also urged restraint, citing rumors that President Xi Jinping has cautioned Putin against employing nuclear weapons.
However, Putin revealed the planned drastic expansion on Wednesday following a meeting with his Security Council.
Russia would “clearly set the conditions for Russia to transition to using nuclear weapons,” according to a new nuclear doctrine, he said.
