Russia’s Nuclear Policy in the 21st Century Environment

Summary:

This paper discusses the official nuclear policy of the Russian Federation and the evolution of Russian thinking on the role of nuclear weapons in the 21st century.

It seeks to explain the importance of nuclear weapons for post-Soviet Russia; the post-Cold War deterrence strategy; the development of the nuclear forces structure and their missions; as well as Russia’s approaches to nuclear arms control and nuclear proliferation.

Finally, the paper examines the place and role of Russia in the multipolar nuclear constellation of this new century.

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