Putin Eases Nuclear Use Rules Amid U.S.-Ukraine Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has lowered the threshold for nuclear weapons use, updating Russia's nuclear doctrine to consider any aggression from a nonnuclear state supported by a nuclear state as a joint attack. This move follows the U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles inside Russia, a decision influenced by Russia's deployment of North Korean troops. While Putin has frequently threatened nuclear action, he has yet to follow through, despite several red lines being crossed in the ongoing conflict.