Russia: Nuclear Weapons Permitted for Ally Defense Under Collective Security Strategy

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Russia‘s collective security strategy and military doctrine permit the use of nuclear weapons to defend the country’s allies, stated Viktor Vasilyev, Russia’s representative to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Data published by Mehr News Agency, citing RT, reported Vasilyev’s remarks.

He elaborated that approved documents explicitly foresee the use of such weapons under specific circumstances, including the defense of allies if they are attacked. The CSTO Charter, he further specified, identifies an increase in the number of states possessing military nuclear capabilities and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems among the challenges and threats it faces.

These comments come at a time when Europe is experiencing escalating tensions regarding nuclear matters. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that his country is entering an advanced nuclear deterrence phase and pledged to increase the number of nuclear warheads under a new doctrine. He has also raised the possibility of involving France’s allies in joint exercises.

Additionally, the Finnish Parliament approved the lifting of a ban on the import, production, storage, and use of nuclear weapons in the country in June.