Russian Nuclear Weapons: Past, Present, and Future - Strategic ...

There are reasons to assert that the Doctrine sanctions
the use by Russia of nuclear weapons in preventive
(preemptive) strikes. In its time, this clause stirred a
lot of hullabaloo and criticism in the West. Currently,
this clause has been removed from the text of the Doctrine.
However, was it removed as such? I do not think
so. It is probable that the “Foundations of State Policy
in the Area of Nuclear Deterrence to 2020” comprise
stipulations on preventive (preemptive) strikes.” 100
Other experts maintained that “the new Military
Doctrine appears to reduce, at least somewhat, the role
of nuclear weapons in Russia’s national security policy.”
101 In effect, the 2010 RF Military Doctrine states:
The Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear
weapons in response to the use against it and
(or) its allies of nuclear and other types of weapons
of mass destruction, as well as in the case of an aggression
against the Russian Federation with the use
of conventional weapons when the very existence of
the state is placed under threat.
Doctrine-writing under Medvedev was marked
by major contradictions. A characteristic example is
the RF “Foreign Policy Concept” adopted by Dmitrii
Medvedev on June 12, 2008. The Concept was promoted
by the Kremlin as a demonstration of Russia’s
resolve “to position itself on the international arena
as a civilized, rule-of-law state.” It professed Russia’s
trust in “international law as the most stable foundation
in relations among states,” and the reliance on the
UN to ensure international peace. 102
Events of the Russian-Georgian war that took place
shortly after the publication of the Concept apparently
forced Medvedev and the Russian political elite to
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