Europe On Alert: Putin's Chilling Warning Amid US Missile Support To Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new decree lowering the threshold for using nuclear weapons, authorizing their potential use even in the event of significant damage from conventional attacks, such as missiles, drones, or aircraft. This move comes in response to US President Joe Biden's approval for Ukraine to use longer-range missiles, specifically the ATACMS, which can strike up to 300 kilometers inside Russia. With NATO's Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles already enabling Ukraine to target up to 150 kilometers into Russian territory, Putin's decree escalates tensions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of understanding the new doctrine, which modifies Russia's previous 2020 nuclear policy, permitting nuclear strikes in cases of both nuclear and severe conventional attacks. Meanwhile, Ukraine is preparing for a Russian assault on Kursk, a strategically important region, with reports suggesting a large force, including North Korean troops, is being mobilized for the operation. President Zelenskyy has pressed for the US's approval to use longer-range missiles to target Russian forces in the region, as it is a key leverage point for peace talks.