President Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russian territory has dramatically heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, pushing the world closer to the precipice of nuclear war. This decision has not only provoked Russia but also led President Vladimir Putin to revise his country’s nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear retaliation in response to conventional attacks on Russian soil.
The Kremlin views this as a severe escalation, with Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian government, stating that such a decision would mark a new stage of U.S. involvement in the war, directly linking NATO and the U.S. to the conflict. Russia’s military doctrine now includes the provision that any attack on Russia’s territory, supported by a nuclear power, could trigger a nuclear response. This change in policy represents a significant shift from Russia’s previous stance, where nuclear weapons were considered a last resort in cases of existential threats.
The Biden administration’s decision to authorize long-range missile strikes comes amid an ongoing effort to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. While the move is framed as a strategic measure to assist Ukraine, critics argue that it has serious ramifications for global security. By providing Ukraine with the means to strike Russia’s heartland, the U.S. risks pushing Moscow into a corner, where its only perceived option may be to escalate with nuclear weapons.
Russia’s revision of its nuclear doctrine reflects its growing anxiety over Western involvement in the conflict. Moscow has repeatedly warned that it will not tolerate further provocation and has made it clear that any attack on its soil, even with indirect support from a nuclear power, will be met with a potentially devastating nuclear response.
This situation leaves the world teetering on the edge of disaster. Critics, particularly those aligned with former President Donald Trump, warn that Biden’s decision could ignite World War III. They argue that the U.S. is playing with fire by providing military support to Ukraine while ignoring the risk of nuclear escalation. These voices are becoming increasingly loud as the threat of a nuclear conflict grows.
As both Russia and the U.S. take more aggressive actions, the prospect of a catastrophic nuclear confrontation looms larger. The need for diplomatic de-escalation has never been more urgent, but with both sides locked into a dangerous game, the risk of a miscalculation leading to nuclear war is higher than ever.
