Russia has warned NATO that it could use all available means, including nuclear weapons, if there is any attempt to cut off its Kaliningrad exclave from the rest of the country. The Kremlin said the warning was intended to remind "hotheads" in Europe of where the policy they are pursuing would lead. On Tuesday, Russia's embassy in Brussels published a document on X in which Moscow expressed its concern over what it called NATO's provocative actions regarding Kaliningrad and declared itself ready to respond with its entire arsenal. The document stated that Russia is prepared to deploy its full arsenal to defend its territory should NATO countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of Russia. It also listed among the risks the possibility of Russian strikes on decision-making centres in alliance member states from the very start of a conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has taken note of statements from European capitals about plans to blockade the Kaliningrad region and considers them absurd. It is entirely natural, he said, for Russian diplomats to try "to remind Europe's hotheads" of Russia's fundamental documents on the matter.
NATO's response
NATO condemned Russia's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric" contained in the text Moscow sent to alliance officials. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that the alliance had received the document and had responded to it. "We strongly condemn the threat of the use of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric," she said. A senior European defence official said it was the first time since the Cold War that Russia had threatened Europe in this way, describing the development as serious. A NATO diplomat called the Russian document another attempt by Moscow to intimidate Europeans and said the alliance's response was firm and responsible, confirming that NATO would not be deterred in its decision to support Ukraine. The warnings underline the escalating tension between Russia and European countries, which accuse Moscow of stepping up a "hybrid war" on the continent, including through sabotage and arson attacks.
Source: CNA
