Russia will make changes to its nuclear doctrine in response to Western actions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the TASS news agency reported Sunday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

Ryabkov did not say what those changes would entail.

Russia’s current nuclear doctrine, established by a decree of President Vladimir Putin in 2020, states that the country can use nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear attack by an enemy or in the event of a conventional attack that threatens the existence of the state.

Russia, which accuses the West of using Ukraine as a proxy to wage war against it, has said in the past that it is considering making changes.

Ryabkov’s statement was the most explicit, stating that the country is going to do so.

The project is at an advanced stage, and the intention for changes is clear, the deputy minister said according to TASS, adding that the decision is linked to the escalation path of their Western enemies in relation to the conflict in Ukraine.

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