Shoigu: Russia’s nuclear umbrella covers CSTO space under new doctrine

In line with the updated nuclear doctrine, Russia's nuclear umbrella covers primarily the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member states – as informed by Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu following today’s meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defence Ministers and the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Councils of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, TASS reports

"First of all, I would like to say that the doctrine that has been in force until recently also envisaged this umbrella, as you call it, including for our allies. It was clearly outlined. As for the new doctrine, of course, the CSTO member states are primarily in focus. It also has an addition – which is quite important, in my opinion: it concerns Belarus," Mr. Shoigu said.

The Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation added that the present doctrine outlines the criteria for the use of nuclear weapons when aggression is carried out against Belarus with conventional weapons and when the existence of the country is threatened.