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By Mandy Taheri and Gabe Whisnant
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia's nuclear doctrine "remains in effect" on Wednesday, two days after President Donald Trump announced that the United States and NATO allies will supply advanced weapons to Ukraine.
A spokesperson for the State Department told Newsweek in an email Thursday in response to Peskov's comments, "This rhetoric does not improve regional security. We've seen these kinds of reckless and unhelpful statements before."
Newsweek reached out to Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment via email on Wednesday.
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Why It Matters
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, tensions between Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members have flared, with repeated threats of nuclear escalation. Russia has the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world, followed by the U.S.
Trump has taken a different approach to Russia and Ukraine than his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, such as more directly engaging with Moscow and putting the U.S.-Ukrainian relationship on the rocks through hostile conversations and aid threats. Earlier this week, however, Trump announced that European allies will be able to buy billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment for Ukraine's defense.
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What To Know
During a Wednesday press conference, Peskov told a Tass reporter,"Russia's nuclear doctrine remains in effect, and thus, all its provisions continue to apply."
The response came after a reporter for the Russian state-owned news agency inquired about the status of the nuclear doctrine, which, among other measures, establishes that an "aggression" against Russia or its allies "by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is considered as their joint attack."
Putin had updated the country's nuclear doctrine in December 2024, which essentially lowered the threshold to engage in nuclear deterrence. It includes that Russia "reserves the right to employ nuclear weapons" in response to nuclear weapons or "other types of weapons of mass destruction" against itself or its allies.
Peskov called upon the U.S. to encourage Ukraine to resume peace negotiations with Russia, saying, per Tass: "In this case, the main mediating efforts are coming from the United States—President Trump and his team. Many statements have been made, many expressions of disappointment voiced, but we certainly hope there is also pressure on the Ukrainian side."
On July 14, Trump said in the Oval Office, "We're going to make top-of-the-line weapons, and they'll be sent to NATO."
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the deal included missiles, ammunition, and air defense. Trump announced that Patriot missiles—critical to defend against Russia's drone and missile bombardment on civilian structures—were "already being shipped," to Ukraine.
Any of the military equipment to be supplied to Ukraine in the short term will come from existing stockpiles.
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told Newsweek in an email statement Thursday: "As President Trump has said, the word 'nuclear' should not be treated so casually."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Wednesday on X: "I held a meeting on the defense sector: our domestic weapons production, agreements with partners, and supplies for the Ukrainian army. We are thoroughly analyzing how all contracts, agreements, and investment projects are being implemented. We identified the steps that must be taken in the near future, as well as the key indicators by which the effectiveness of defense management will be assessed at the end of this year. There must be more Ukrainian-made weapons."
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, on Monday on X: "Great meeting with @POTUS today. We're already delivering on decisions from the #NATOSummit in a major way, bringing together more spending, more production & more support to Ukraine. Russia's brutality needs to stop - this new initiative will help deliver just and lasting peace."
What Happens Next
Peskov said on Wednesday that talks between Putin and Trump "could be arranged very quickly," but noted that there are no confirmed plans.
Trump also has issued an ultimatum to Moscow of "severe" tariffs unless Russia agrees to a peace deal within 50 days to end its war in Ukraine.
Update 7/17/25, 6:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the State Department.
Update 7/16/25, 1:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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