### Putin Issues Stern Warning: Any Conventional Attack Supported by Nuclear Powers Considered Joint Strike on Russia

In a potent new declaration, President Vladimir Putin has warned Western nations that any conventional military assault on Russia, if backed by a nuclear-armed country, will be treated as a joint offensive against Russia. This announcement, made on Wednesday, stems from a revision in Moscow's nuclear doctrine and is aimed at deterring the West from enabling Ukraine to launch long-range strikes on Russian territory. The updated doctrine seems to lower the threshold for a possible Russian nuclear response.

During a Security Council meeting in Moscow, where the changes to the nuclear doctrine were discussed, Putin emphasized that the revised document now stipulates that an attack by a non-nuclear state, if it involves the "participation or support of a nuclear power," will be considered a "joint attack on the Russian Federation." This adjustment appears to be a strategic move to dissuade Western powers from bolstering their support for Ukraine.

While President Putin did not explicitly confirm whether this new stance includes a nuclear response to such collective attacks, he underscored that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if a conventional assault poses a "critical threat to our sovereignty." This deliberately vague terminology leaves significant room for interpretation, potentially escalating tensions and uncertainties regarding Russia’s nuclear policies.

As the war in Ukraine drags into its third year, Russia is making methodical progress. The Kremlin’s updated doctrine underscores its efforts to prevent the West from providing more substantial military aid to Ukraine. By setting these new red lines, Putin seeks to limit the scope of Western intervention and support, which could turn the tide of the ongoing conflict.