Russian President Vladimir Putin has convened an urgent meeting of Moscow's top security council to address pressing concerns regarding the country's nuclear deterrence strategy. This move comes amid rising fears over Ukraine potentially being permitted by Western powers, particularly the UK and the US, to use cruise missiles, such as the Storm Shadow missile, to strike deep into Russian territory. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin would deliver a key speech during the meeting, with additional details classified for security reasons.

The backdrop to this meeting is the increasing military support Ukraine has received from its Western allies, a factor that Russian intelligence has flagged as a reason to reconsider its nuclear doctrine. Currently, Russia's nuclear doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to direct nuclear attacks or when the existence of the state is threatened by conventional attacks. Putin has previously warned that any approval of missile strikes on Russian soil by Western nations would equate to a direct conflict, necessitating "appropriate decisions" from Moscow.

As both Russia and the United States control a significant portion of the world’s nuclear arsenal, any changes in strategy or doctrine could have far-reaching implications for global security. Observers are particularly concerned about the potential for escalating military conflict in the region, especially given that Russia maintains a stockpile of over 6,000 nuclear warheads. This meeting underscores the high-stakes environment in which international relations are currently operating, with both sides closely monitoring developments.