TBILISI/MOSCOW, October 14 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's decision to include preemptive nuclear strikes in its revised military doctrine is mostly a political move and does not pose a real threat, Georgia's top security official said Wednesday.
The head of Russia's Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said in an interview in the Wednesday edition of the Izvestia newspaper that the revised military doctrine does not rule out preventive nuclear strikes against potential aggressors.
"I think that it is a loud geopolitical statement rather than a real threat," Georgian National Security Council Secretary Eka Tkeshelashvili said in an interview on Imedi television.
She said the statement was directly addressed to the world powers, especially the United States, with the goal of regaining former spheres of influence, and added that it would only trigger negative political reaction from the West.
In his interview, Patrushev said that the revised military doctrine, which will be prepared and submitted to the Russian president for consideration by the end of the year, was prompted by current threats and dangers faced by Russia.
He said the document's section on the possible use of nuclear weapons was formulated "in the sense of preserving Russia's status as a nuclear power capable of deterring potential foes from aggression against Russia and its allies."
"This appears to be a paramount priority for our country in the near future," Patrushev said.
The current military doctrine was adopted in 2000. It outlines the role of the Russian military in ensuring the defense of the country and, if necessary, preparing for and waging war, although it stresses that Russia carries out strictly defensive policies.
