The Pentagon said that while Russia has updated its nuclear doctrine, there is no indication that it is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh dismissed Russia's rhetoric on its nuclear policy as a continuation of its behavior over the past two years, the Kiev Independent reported.
The comments came shortly after Russia updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear retaliation in an open warning to the West.
"This is the same irresponsible rhetoric we've seen before. We will continue to monitor, but we have no indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory," Singh stated.
The spokesman stressed that the involvement of Russian troops from a third country marked a clear escalation. She said the administration had warned Moscow that if North Korean troops were deployed, the United States would help Ukraine respond and "provide Ukraine with what it needs."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved updates to Russia's nuclear deterrence policy. It were posted on the government website on November 19.
The revised doctrine expands the scenarios that justify a nuclear strike, including "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state" and large-scale non-nuclear attacks, such as those involving drones. | BGNES
