Russia has warned NATO that it could resort to nuclear weapons if the Western military alliance attempts to isolate or cut off Kaliningrad, the heavily militarised Russian exclave located between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
In a diplomatic document sent to NATO, Moscow accused the alliance of pursuing what it described as a “dangerous and reckless course” that could create “high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict.” The document also warned that Russia could target decision-making centres in NATO member states if a conflict were to begin.
“Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, in order to defend its territory should NATO countries undertake any attempt aimed at isolating the Kaliningrad Region from the rest of the country,” the Russian document stated.
The warning followed claims from Russian diplomatic missions in Europe that Moscow had information suggesting NATO was preparing an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad. NATO has rejected the allegation and said its activities in the Baltic region are defensive.
Kaliningrad, which sits on the Baltic Sea and is separated from mainland Russia, is home to significant Russian military infrastructure, including the Baltic Fleet and nuclear-capable Iskander missile systems. Its location between Poland and Lithuania has made the territory a longstanding security flashpoint between Moscow and NATO.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded to the warning by rejecting the suggestion that the alliance was preparing to threaten Russian territory.
“We are a defensive alliance. And stop the nuclear threats. This is absolutely not called for and not helpful,” Rutte said during a defence conference hosted by Euronews in Brussels.
Rutte also said NATO did not consider a nuclear escalation in the Baltic region imminent, while stressing that the alliance was prepared to defend its members.
“We will defend every inch of NATO territory. That threat is not there, and if anything happens, we are ready to counter it,” he said.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also criticised what Moscow considers hostile rhetoric from Western officials, accusing them of displaying “Russophobia” and readiness for confrontation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended the diplomatic warnings, saying Moscow was seeking to remind European governments of Russia’s position on the issue.
“It’s only natural that our diplomats are trying to remind the hotheads in Europe about our policy documents regarding this matter,” Peskov said.
The latest exchange comes amid heightened military activity in and around the Baltic region, including NATO exercises and growing concerns among European governments over alleged Russian sabotage and other hybrid activities. Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations that it is conducting such a campaign.
Security analysts have meanwhile warned that the increasingly confrontational rhetoric could raise the risk of miscalculation between Russia and NATO, particularly around Kaliningrad and the Baltic Sea.
