Umbrella Primarily Extends to CSTO Countries – Shoigu on Russia's Updated Doctrine

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu stated that Russia's nuclear "umbrella" under the updated doctrine primarily covers the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) states, Orda.kz reports.

Shoigu recalled that the previous doctrine also provided for the protection of Russia's allies, but the new version prioritizes CSTO countries. 

He said the document had been supplemented with a clause specifying criteria for the use of nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against Belarus using conventional weapons or in the event of a threat to the existence of the republic. 

Shoigu said this at a joint meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers, and the Committee of Secretaries of the CSTO Security Councils in Astana.

Original Author: Olga Ibraeva