Andrei Kartopolov Informed CSTO PA Colleagues on Medical and Biological Security Situation and Changes in Russia's Nuclear Doctrine

On October 24, Andrei Kartapolov, Chairman of the Committee on Defence of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, spoke at a meeting of the CSTO PA Permanent Commission on Defence and Security in St. Petersburg. He informed his CSTO PA colleagues about the medical and biological security situation and changes in Russia's nuclear doctrine.

The parliamentarian expressed concern regarding the medical and biological security situation in the CSTO area and the intensification of activities of some states to spread biological threats, which goes against international treaties on the prohibition of biological and chemical weapons.

As for changes in the nuclear doctrine of the Russian Federation, they may take place if the number of challenges and threats to Russia increases, Andrei Kartapolov said. He noted that everything would depend on changes in the military and political situation.

The parliamentarian also drew the attention of the colleagues to the military cooperation experience between Russia and Belarus.

«Belarus is our ally and it is subject to the changes planned to be implemented to our nuclear doctrine. I believe that other CSTO Member States could consider this experience more closely and coordinate their future policy, including, perhaps, expanding ties with the Union State of Russia and Belarus. Security can only be common within the CSTO, and we are ready to consider any suggestions in this regard,», – said Andrei Kartapolov. 

As you may recall, earlier, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, said that Russia might amend the nuclear doctrine in the context of the discussion on the possibility to lower the threshold for the nuclear weapons use. According to him, explosive nuclear devices of ultra-low yield are being developed, and the expert circles in the West discuss ideas that such weapons could be used.