### Western Leaders Condemn Putin’s Proposed Changes to Russia's Nuclear Doctrine

In a move attracting heavy criticism from the United States, European Union, and Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed amending Russia's nuclear deterrence doctrine. The proposed amendment, revealed on Wednesday, would consider a "massive" aerial attack on Russia as a "joint attack" if backed by a nuclear state, regardless of whether the attacker itself holds nuclear capabilities. This change represents a significant shift in Russia’s defense strategy and is ostensibly directed at Ukraine, as it seeks permission from Western allies to use long-range weapons against Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lambasted the proposed amendment during an interview with MSNBC on Thursday at the UN General Assembly, describing it as "totally irresponsible." Blinken stressed that many global leaders, including China in the past, have condemned Russia's penchant for nuclear threats.

Similarly, EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano labeled the plan as "reckless and irresponsible," accusing Putin of gambling with Russia’s nuclear arsenal yet again. Stano vehemently rejected these nuclear threats on behalf of the European Union.

Ukrainian officials echoed these sentiments, with Andriy Yermak, head of the president's office, condemning the proposal as a form of nuclear blackmail. Yermak argued that Russia lacks other means to intimidate the world beyond such threats.

Despite this international outcry, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended Putin's proposed amendment on Thursday, describing it as a clear warning to the West. Peskov emphasized that the adjustment in Russia's nuclear deterrence reflects the mounting tensions along Russia’s borders, although he clarified that there are no plans to expand Russia's already extensive nuclear arsenal.

Notably, this development coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the UN General Assembly in New York, where Kyiv reiterated its call for the authorization to use Western-supplied long-range weapons to target sites deep inside Russia.

Russia’s current nuclear doctrine, established in a 2020 decree by Putin, allows the use of nuclear weapons only in response to a nuclear attack or a conventional attack that threatens the state's existence. The proposed amendment appears to broaden these conditions, raising concerns about the potential for escalation in the already volatile region.