The announcement comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin amended Russia’s nuclear doctrine to allow for nuclear retaliation in response to a broader range of conventional attacks.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that while a secure communication line exists for direct interaction between the U.S. and Russian presidents, it is currently inactive. He reiterated Moscow’s view that the deployment of ATACMS missiles demonstrates the West’s intent to escalate the war, using Ukraine as a “tool” to achieve strategic goals.
The Kremlin has maintained that its nuclear weapons serve as a deterrent and emphasized the inevitability of retaliation if Russia is attacked. Peskov noted that the updated doctrine aims to clarify the consequences of any aggression against Russia.
On Tuesday, Ukraine marked the 1,000th day of Russia’s full-scale invasion by launching ATACMS missiles into Russian territory, leveraging the newly approved use of these long-range weapons from outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration. Moscow has criticized the decision as a deliberate escalation by the West, accusing Washington of directly fueling the conflict.
In another development, a U.S. official confirmed that Biden had approved the provision of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. These weapons are intended to slow Russian advances, particularly in eastern Ukraine. Unlike Russian mines, the U.S.-supplied mines are “non-persistent” and become inert after a preset period.
While Ukraine has pledged not to use these mines in areas populated by civilians, the decision represents a significant escalation in military aid.
Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan commented on the rising tensions, urging NATO to carefully examine Russia’s lowered nuclear strike threshold. Speaking after the G20 summit in Brazil, Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s balanced approach in maintaining relations with both Russia and Ukraine while advocating for peace. He expressed concern over Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles, calling it “not positive.”
