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Russian general staff lists new conditions for using nukes

MOSCOW -- Russia's new military doctrine calls for use of nuclear weapons if the country is under threat.

A draft of the new doctrine calls on Russia to respond with a nuclear attack "if Russia's independence or territorial integrity comes under threat," says the Interfax news agency, which quoted First Deputy Chief of Russian General Staff Col. Gen. Valery Manilov.

Manilov said the need for a new military doctrine stemmed from the continuation of NATO, which Russian strategists had hoped would disintegrate in the wake of the collapse of the Warsaw Pact in 1989. Instead, NATO has made Russia's immediate neighbor, Poland, a member.

"This is a potential threat to Russia," Manilov said.

Former Russian Defense Minister Igor Rodionov called the draft an "irresponsible demagogy. There might be a case when Russia is forced to use nuclear weapons, but that would be an extreme, life or death situation."

Former Russian nuclear doctrine allowed use of nuclear weapons only in response to enemy strike. Most nuclear powers, including the United States, reserve the right to implement such weapons when necessary.