The Times notes that Putin’s remarks signal that any “Western support for a conventional attack of Russia by Ukraine should be considered a joint attack and could, under certain circumstances, merit a nuclear response.” Given this context, the message from Putin to the U.S. with his public policy proposal seems to be pretty simple: Don’t try it.

The Kremlin said on Sunday that amendments to Russia's nuclear doctrine had been prepared and were about to be formalised, meaning the relevant documents setting out the circumstances in which nuclear arms can be used by Moscow will be updated.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, said that Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian territory shouldn't be connected to the chance of nuclear strikes, especially following the recent change in Russia's nuclear doctrine.