(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed a new nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a wider range of conventional attacks.

Here are some international reactions to Tuesday’s move:

WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

“We were not surprised by Russia’s announcement that it would update its nuclear doctrine; Russia had already indicated for several weeks that it intended to update its doctrine.”

JOSEP BORRELL, HEAD OF FOREIGN POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

“It is not the first time they have threatened nuclear escalation, which is completely irresponsible. Russia has subscribed to the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and should therefore never be fought.”

TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN

“Russia has and must have the power and measures to protect itself. In the same way, as a NATO country we must protect ourselves and take steps to protect ourselves… This step must be assessed by NATO officials.”

Spokesperson for British Prime Minister KEIR STARMER

“It would be fair to say that this is the latest example of irresponsibility we have seen from the depraved Russian government, and we remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine.”

FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER JEAN-NOEL BARROT

President Vladimir Putin’s decision to lower the threshold for a nuclear attack is ‘rhetoric’. “We will not be intimidated.”

(Editing by Ros Russell and Angus MacSwan)