Russia affirms commitment to maintaining dialogue on nuclear arsenal, World News

Russia’s stance on nuclear weapons has been a topic of discussion recently, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that dialogue lines will remain open with nuclear powers, but Russia will respond accordingly if the United States deploys more strategic nuclear weapons. This comes after Russian president Vladimir Putin mentioned the possibility of adjustments to the country’s nuclear doctrine.

In response, a White House aide suggested that the United States may need to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in the future to deter threats from Russia, China, and other adversaries. Pranay Vaddi, a top U.S. National Security Council arms control official, outlined a policy shift towards a more competitive approach to arms control, aiming to push Moscow and Beijing to engage in talks on arsenal limitations.

Putin, in his speech, did not rule out changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, stating that adjustments could be made if necessary. He also mentioned the possibility of testing a nuclear weapon, although he currently sees no need to do so. Since Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, Putin has reiterated that Russia would use nuclear weapons to defend itself if needed, sparking concerns in the West.

Zakharova emphasized that Russia has always been open to dialogue, even in difficult situations, and will make adjustments to its nuclear doctrine if necessary. The situation remains tense as both countries navigate their nuclear policies in response to evolving threats and geopolitical tensions.