(Dan Tri) – Russia accuses Western countries of increasingly escalating tensions, forcing Moscow to respond.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (Photo: Sputnik).

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on May 9 that Moscow’s recent decision to conduct tactical nuclear weapons exercises is partly due to the increasingly escalating stance of some Western countries.

However, Mr. Ryabkov pointed out that Moscow’s nuclear doctrine remains unchanged, allowing the use of such weapons only in cases where the country’s existence is threatened.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced earlier this week that nuclear exercises, ordered by President Vladimir Putin and involving the missile forces, air force and navy, will take place `in the near future`.

When asked whether Russia would modify its deterrence strategy, Mr. Ryabkov emphasized that `currently there are no changes, but the situation is changing.`

`We warn our opponents that their escalatory actions naturally force us to take steps to effectively strengthen deterrence measures,` Ryabkov added.

Previously, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had decided to organize tactical nuclear weapons exercises in response to statements by some NATO countries about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron last week declared that Kiev `has the right` to use missiles provided by the UK to attack targets deep inside Russian territory.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said that debates in the West about the possibility of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine, as well as the West actively encouraging Kiev to use missiles provided by the West

Russia has repeatedly stated its nuclear doctrine.

Tactical nuclear weapons are weapons designed for use on the battlefield, have a smaller design and are used at short distances, unlike strategic nuclear weapons which are used to attack targets.