Russia could reduce the time taken to decide on the use of nuclear weapons

Russia could reduce the time taken to decide on the use of nuclear weapons. This was stated by Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the defense committee of the lower house of the Russian parliament.

Kartapolov said that if threats against Russia increase, the time frame for decisions on the use of such weapons could change.

“If we see that challenges and threats are increasing, that means we can correct something in (the doctrine) regarding the timing of the use of nuclear weapons and the decision to proceed with their use.”

Kartapolov added that it was too early to talk about concrete changes in nuclear doctrine.

Russian nuclear doctrine

Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine specifies when its president would consider using nuclear weapons. Generally speaking, it will be used in response to an attack using nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons. This will be done “when the very existence of the State is threatened”.

The Federation of American Scientists confirms that Russia and the United States are by far the largest nuclear powers in the world. They hold approximately 88% of the world's nuclear weapons. Both are currently modernizing their nuclear arsenals while China is rapidly strengthening its nuclear arsenal.

President Putin said last month that Russia did not need to use nuclear weapons to ensure victory in Ukraine. It was the strongest signal sent by the Kremlin so far that Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II would not escalate into nuclear war.

Putin says Russia could change doctrine

Putin also said Russia could change its official nuclear doctrine. It would then specify the conditions under which these weapons could be used. This was seen as a nod to pressure from hard-liners within the Russian elite, who say Putin should be able to act more quickly in the face of nuclear escalation and reduce the usage threshold.

Putin reiterated last week that nuclear doctrine may need to be changed. Indeed, Russia's adversaries were developing very low-yield nuclear devices.

Growing arms race

Moscow and Washington dramatically reduced the number of their weapons as the Soviet Union collapsed. But many diplomats now say they fear a new arms race.

A senior White House official said the United States may need to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in coming years to deter growing threats from Russia, China and other adversaries.

Russia says it is interested in arms control talks with the United States. But this will only happen as part of a broader debate involving European security and the future of Ukraine.

The US 2022 Nuclear Posture Review states that by the 2030s, “the United States will, for the first time in its history, face two major nuclear powers as strategic competitors and potential adversaries.”

With contributions from Reuters