Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow could use all weapons in its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if Russia or its western exclave of Kaliningrad comes under direct attack, escalating tensions between Moscow and NATO.
Putin made the remarks on Thursday, October 1, at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, as relations between Russia and European countries continue to deteriorate over the war in Ukraine and growing military activity around the Baltic Sea.
“If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation — in this case, we are referring to Kaliningrad, and perhaps other territories as well — the question of the Russian Federation deploying all the weapons at our country’s disposal will, of course, inevitably and immediately be on the agenda,” Putin said.
“This is inevitable,” he added.
Russia Not Planning to Attack Europe Except in Retaliation
Despite the warning, Putin said Russia had no plans to attack European countries and wanted to coexist peacefully with them.
He said Moscow’s response would be triggered by what Russia considers a direct attack on its territory.
Putin also acknowledged that NATO would represent a substantially larger military grouping than Russia in a potential confrontation. He said Moscow would therefore rely on what he described as its “competitive advantages”, including its weapons capabilities.
Russia’s latest warning follows a diplomatic note sent to NATO in which Moscow said it was prepared to use nuclear weapons if the alliance attempted to isolate or cut off Kaliningrad.
Significance of Kaliningrad
Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, located between NATO members Poland and Lithuania and separated from mainland Russia.
The territory is heavily militarised and has strategic air, missile and naval capabilities, making it one of the most sensitive flashpoints between Russia and NATO. Its geographical position also makes it particularly vulnerable to any disruption of land, sea or air access.
Russia has accused NATO of preparing an air and naval blockade of the territory.
Russian embassies in several European countries have repeated the warning, claiming Moscow has information that NATO is preparing to restrict access to Kaliningrad. Russia has described European leaders’ warnings about a possible Russian attack on another European country as part of a “dangerous game”.
There is no indication in the available reporting that NATO has announced plans to blockade Kaliningrad. NATO has instead rejected Russia’s nuclear rhetoric and stressed that the alliance is defensive. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said nuclear threats were not helpful.
NATO-Russia Tensions Deepen
The latest confrontation comes amid a broader deterioration in relations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
European governments have accused Moscow of intensifying what they describe as a “hybrid war”, including alleged sabotage, arson and other disruptive activities. Russia denies the allegations and rejects claims that it is preparing to attack a NATO member.
Putin also warned that continued escalation could eventually reach a point where the situation becomes impossible to control.
He argued that the world’s major powers possess weapons capable of causing catastrophic destruction and said the possibility that such weapons could eventually be used should not be dismissed.
