ALBAWABA - Concerned about growing Russian measures that they characterize as systematic challenges to Europe's security framework, six European nations have described the situation as "unprecedented in scope and variety."
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement on Tuesday that “Russia’s increased actions against NATO and European Union countries, via different channels, constitute an unprecedented escalation, presenting serious security threats”.
The importance of a "strong and unified NATO" in fending off these dangers was emphasized by the ministers.
On President Vladimir Putin's directives, the Kremlin separately revealed revisions to Russia's nuclear doctrine. The updated doctrine, according to Russian officials, emphasizes that any attack on Russia or its allies will be met with an inevitable retaliation, so deterring adversaries.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, issued a warning that a non-nuclear state's attack on Russia would be considered a "joint attack" if it involved a nuclear-armed state.
He also reaffirmed that in the event that Belarus or Russia are threatened by conventional action that jeopardizes their sovereignty, Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons.
In the midst of continuing geopolitical issues, the developments further escalate relations between Russia and Western countries.
