CSTO acknowledges possible use of nuclear weapons to defend allies

The CSTO’s collective security strategy allows for the use of weapons of mass destruction to defend allies, Viktor Vasilyev, permanent representative to the organization, told RIA Novosti.

“The documents adopted in furtherance of this Strategy, as well as the military doctrine of the Russian Federation, provide for the possibility of using nuclear weapons, including for the defense of allies in the event of an attack,” he said in response to a question about whether such weapons could appear in other countries of the bloc.

Vasilyev explained that the document adopted by the CSTO lists, among the current challenges and threats to collective security, the possibility of an increase in the number of states possessing military nuclear capabilities, as well as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.