EU Condemns Putin's Nuclear Doctrine Threat as “Irresponsible and Unacceptable”

The European Union has condemned Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s statement on altering Russia’s nuclear doctrine, calling it “a continuation of extremely irresponsible and unacceptable behavior.”

“This is not the first time Putin has played the nuclear card,” said Peter Stano, spokesperson for the EU's foreign policy service, during a briefing in Brussels on Thursday, September 26. He added that the Russian leader has once again revealed his true nature to the world, this time at the highest level during the UN General Assembly, demonstrating that “he is unashamed to engage in nuclear brinkmanship repeatedly.”

Stano stressed that the EU “firmly rejects this threat,” and that the bloc’s stance remains unchanged. “We are working to communicate this position to other international partners, highlighting the reckless and irresponsible behavior we are witnessing from the leader of a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” Stano said, pointing out that Putin is undermining the council’s core mission of maintaining global peace.

During the meeting of Russia’s Security Council on September 25, Russian leader Vladimir Putin announced expanded conditions to Russia's nuclear deterrence doctrine. The changes expand the scope of nuclear deterrence to cover more states and military alliances, and also broaden the list of military threats that could trigger nuclear deterrence measures.