Following recent outrage over Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, the Kremlin is now tempering fears regarding Moscow's potential use of nuclear weapons. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine should not always be linked to a possible Russian nuclear response.

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.

The Kremlin says that changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine are intended to discourage Ukraine’s Western allies from supporting attacks on Russia.