Medvedev: Russia Has the Right to Use Nuclear Weapons When Security is Threatened

On September 10, Xinhua News Agency reported from Moscow (Reporter Wang Zuokui) that Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the United Russia party, stated that Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons if its security is threatened.

The report said that Medvedev recently mentioned in an interview with the Russian newspaper "Izvestia" that the "Fundamental Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence" clearly stipulates the conditions under which Russia can use nuclear weapons and expands the list of military threats that can be responded to with nuclear deterrence measures.

He stated that when Russia or Belarus, as part of the Russia-Belarus Union, is subjected to aggression, even if the aggression is initiated by a non-nuclear state, it will be considered a joint attack as long as there is participation or support from a nuclear power. "In this case, we have the right to respond to serious incidents that threaten the sovereignty of our country, and the final decision will be made by the head of state."

Medvedev said that Western countries supporting Ukraine are pushing the world to the brink of nuclear disaster. He stated that Russia is doing everything possible to prevent a global catastrophe, but this patience is not without limits, and as a last resort, measures will be taken when all other methods fail.

The new "Fundamental Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence" will take effect in November 2024. According to this document, any aggression against Russia and/or its allies by a non-nuclear state, with the participation or support of a nuclear state, will be regarded as a joint attack initiated against Russia by both the non-nuclear and nuclear states.