Russia says nuclear weapons could be used to defend allies

Russia's military doctrine and the strategic documents of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) allow for the use of nuclear weapons to defend allied states in the event of an attack, Russia's permanent representative to the bloc, Viktor Vasilyev, has said.

Speaking to RIA Novosti, he made it clear that the CSTO's Collective Security Strategy identifies the potential increase in the number of states possessing military nuclear capabilities, as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, among today's key security challenges and threats.

The statement comes amid heightened nuclear rhetoric across Europe, with France expanding its deterrence posture and Finland easing restrictions on nuclear weapons.

While the remarks do not signal an imminent nuclear strike, they reinforce Russia's reliance on nuclear deterrence as part of its military strategy and highlight growing tensions between Moscow and Western nations over regional and global security.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov