Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the foundations of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence, the decree is posted on the website of the official publication of legal acts. It comes into force on the day of its signing, November 19.
"The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of nuclear and (or) other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and (or) its allies, also in case of aggression against The Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus as members of the Union State with the use of conventional weapons, creating a critical threat to their sovereignty and (or) territorial integrity. The decision on the use of nuclear weapons is made by the president," the document says.