Video: Is the Ukraine War Moving Toward a Nuclear Conclusion?

With Europe and the United States stepping up military and financial support to Ukraine, global concerns over a possible nuclear escalation have intensified. Russia’s latest update to its nuclear doctrine has particularly raised alarms, as it now treats a conventional strike on Russia by a non-nuclear nation—if assisted by a nuclear power—as a joint attack warranting a potential nuclear reply.

President Vladimir Putin underscored this shift, warning that any nation permitting its long-range missiles to hit Russian territory will be viewed as a valid target for equivalent retaliation, regardless of that country’s nuclear status. Following Western approval for Ukraine to deploy ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and similar long-range systems inside Russia—and after Moscow tested its Oreshnik missile—Putin cautioned that Russia will match any escalation, placing all supporting nations within its response scope.