The White House sees no need to change its own nuclear doctrine, officials say, after Vladimir Putin officially lowered the threshold for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons.

A U.S. National Security Council official told Reuters he was not surprised by Putin’s decision.

As such, the Biden administration “sees no reason to adjust its own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s statements today.”

The official nonetheless said the White House criticized Putin’s “irresponsible rhetoric” after he decided to theoretically authorize a potential nuclear response to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation backed by a nuclear power.

Similar comments were made by the European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell.

“This is not the first time they have threatened nuclear escalation, which is totally irresponsible,” he said.

“Russia has subscribed to the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and therefore must never be fought.”