The press secretary of the Russian president Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian Federation does not plan to increase its nuclear arsenals. The change in the nuclear doctrine is a signal to unfriendly countries about the possible consequences of an attack on Russia, he added. Yesterday, September 25, President Vladimir Putin discussed the changes to the doctrine at a meeting of the permanent conference of the Security Council on nuclear deterrence.

“This is a signal that warns these countries about the consequences in the event of an attack on our territory, not necessarily by nuclear means,” Dmitry Peskov said during a press call. He added that the parameters of nuclear deterrence are currently being adjusted taking into account the tensions developing near the Russian borders.

According to Mr. Peskov, Russia will not increase its nuclear arsenals, since its nuclear triad is “an absolute guarantor of nuclear deterrence.” The presidential press secretary did not answer journalists’ questions about the possibility of lifting the moratorium on nuclear tests. "I cannot answer your question here, because you saw the open part of the meeting, and the rest of the meeting is completely closed," he explained.

The expansion of the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons will be approved in the updated nuclear doctrine. The president announced its change in June. According to Dmitry Peskov, the decision on whether to publish the new doctrine will be made later.

The Security Council meeting on nuclear deterrence was held publicly for the first time. At it, Vladimir Putin said that aggression by any non-nuclear state against Russia with the support of a nuclear power will be considered an attack. Information about a massive launch of military aircraft, cruise missiles and drones may serve as grounds for the use of nuclear weapons. The president also said that Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against Belarus.