Overview

• Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, warned that transferring nuclear weapons to Ukraine could be considered an act of aggression against Russia.
• Medvedev referred to Russia's updated nuclear doctrine, which allows for nuclear retaliation if the nation's security is jeopardized, including by conventional weapons or threats to critical infrastructure.
• The comments follow unconfirmed reports suggesting U.S. officials might consider equipping Ukraine with nuclear weapons as a deterrent against Russian aggression.
• Medvedev criticized President Biden, calling the idea of arming Ukraine with nuclear weapons 'absurd' and accusing U.S. leadership of risking global nuclear conflict.
• Ukraine, which relinquished its nuclear arsenal in 1994 under the Budapest Memorandum, has recently expressed regret over the decision but denies any plans to develop nuclear weapons.