Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's threats to change the Kremlin's nuclear doctrine show his fear that Ukraine may be allowed to use long-range weapons to strike targets on Russian territory.
This was stated by Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, as reported by LRT.
"We all heard Putin's words. I believe the key message is not what he said, but that by talking about a new concept, he is clearly indicating that allowing Ukraine the ability to strike at long distances is indeed a serious issue that he fears," Kasčiūnas said.
Pistorius, in turn, emphasized that the West is not intimidated by Putin's "nuclear rhetoric."
"I can repeat that this is Putin's rhetoric. He speaks loudly and spreads his threats, and we should not be afraid of it. We will do what we consider necessary. He may spread this through his channels, but it won't scare us," the German defense minister noted.
It should be recalled that yesterday, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine that would expand the conditions for using the nuclear arsenal.
According to him, the new doctrine will provide for the possibility of a nuclear strike in response to aggression against Russia from any non-nuclear state, if this happens with the involvement or support of a nuclear state.