The Kremlin is recycling old information narratives – including nuclear threats – as part of its renewed efforts to weaken US and NATO support for Ukraine.
This is stated in an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In the fall of 2024, Russia will update its nuclear doctrine, including a new clause according to which it will consider aggression by a non-nuclear state supported by or involving a nuclear power as a joint attack on Russia. The move is likely aimed at deterring Western aid to Ukraine amid key debates over the future of that support at the end of the year.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “Europeans maintain a fiercely militaristic attitude towards Moscow,” in response to a question about U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiatives to boost military aid to Ukraine through NATO.
Peskov also called on the international community to pressure Ukraine to start bilateral talks with Russia — a move that represents a reversal of the Western position that has been pushing Russia to take responsibility for starting meaningful dialogue to end the war. This is a likely attempt to misrepresent Moscow as a constructive participant in the peace process and undermine confidence in Kiev.
On July 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the goal of the war was to “eliminate the threats that NATO has created on Russia's borders“.
Meanwhile, Western officials announced new details about the US-led initiative to arm Ukraine. Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Finland have confirmed their participation in this program.
On the night of July 15-16, Russian forces carried out a massive missile and drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
On July 16, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, formally dissolving the government.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have recently made advances in the northern part of Sumy Oblast. Russian forces have also registered territorial advances in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast, as well as in the areas around Borova, Lyman, and Novopavlovka.