"Russia should clearly express its readiness to use
nuclear weapons against countries that "support NATO aggression in
Ukraine," says Russian political scientist Sergei Karaganov, who heads the
Council for Foreign and Defense Policy.
Karaganov often expresses views that
the Kremlin does not want to present publicly, Reuters notes.
Karaganov appeals in the columns of
the daily "Izvestia" for expanding the scope in which Russia
can - in accordance with its doctrine - use nuclear weapons.
In his opinion, Russia could carry out a
limited attack using nuclear weapons on a NATO country without provoking a
nuclear war.
According to Karaganov, the US is bluffing when it claims
that it guarantees a nuclear umbrella to its allies. In other words, according
to the Russian political scientist, the US would not necessarily use nuclear
weapons against Russia if the latter carried out an attack using nuclear
weapons, for example, on one of the NATO countries. (While being the president of the USA, D. Trump also expressed disbelief that the USA must get involved in World Nuclear War III if one of the aggressive countries of Eastern Europe attacked Russia. (K.))
The political scientist argues that the main goal of the
Russian nuclear doctrine should be to "ensure that all current and future
enemies are certain that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons".
- It is time to announce that we have the right to respond
to a massive attack on our territory with a nuclear strike. This also applies
to the occupation of our territory - he argues. Since August 6, part of the
Kursk Oblast in Russia has been occupied by Ukrainian troops. Currently, it is
being decided whether Ukrainians will be able to use American ATACMS missiles
to attack targets deep inside Russia (according to the Kremlin, such consent
has already been given by the United States).
Western experts – as Reuters writes – listen carefully to
Karaganov's statements, because they are an indicator of what the Russian
authorities think about foreign, defense and nuclear policy.
For over a year, Karaganov has been calling for changes to
Russia's nuclear doctrine. Recently, the Kremlin announced that it would review
this doctrine. Currently, Russia may use nuclear weapons only in a situation
where the territorial integrity or sovereignty of the country is threatened,
and in such a situation, Russia may use nuclear weapons even if an attack on
Russia is carried out using conventional weapons.
According to Karaganov, the doctrine in its current form is
suicidal and irresponsible, because it does not deter Russia's enemies
sufficiently. The latter – as the political scientist argues – are convinced
that Russia will almost never use nuclear weapons.
The political scientist argues that with the current
doctrine, Russia is heading for a catastrophe, because it is exposing itself to
“bleeding out on the battlefield and economic exhaustion”, which could lead to
“even the collapse” of the country.
Karaganov also argues that “the belief that limited use of
nuclear weapons must necessarily lead to nuclear Armageddon does not stand up
to criticism”. He adds that he is not interested in entering a “dangerous
path”, but in “saving the world and Russia”. “We will either win this conflict or
lose it. The West can fight forever, this conflict is very profitable for it,” he
warns. He also argues that his proposals are intended to protect the world from
World War III.
According to some analysts, the Kremlin is using Karaganov's
statements to present views that are intended to terrify the West and convince
that Vladimir Putin seems like a moderate politician compared to the
"hawks" in Moscow."
