Kremlin says changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine are intended as a warning to the West

MOSCOW (AP) — A Kremlin spokesman says that changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine are intended to discourage Ukraine’s Western allies from supporting attacks on Russia. In a strong, new warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that any nation’s conventional attack on Russia that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country. The threat was clearly aimed at discouraging the West from allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range weapons. The United States and the European Union both denounced the statements by Putin as “irresponsible.”