Russia has warned NATO that it could use nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempts to isolate Kaliningrad, its heavily militarised territory on the Baltic Sea.
In a diplomatic note sent to NATO and seen by Reuters, Moscow accused the alliance of pursuing a “dangerous and reckless course” that carried “high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict.”
The Russian document also warned of possible “Russian strikes against decision-making centers in the alliance’s member states right from the outset”.
“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 note stated.
Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave situated between Poland and Lithuania, along the Baltic Sea.
Moscow has increasingly expressed concern over NATO military activities and exercises in the region, which it views as a growing threat to the territory.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also accused officials from NATO member states of showing “Russophobia” and a willingness to go to war with Russia.
“These figures,” Zakharova wrote, “need to be brought back down to earth. We hope that our warnings will be heard by those to whom they are addressed.”
“If Europe attacks Russia, it will be a completely different sort of war – a very short war.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance had responded to the Russian warning by rejecting Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric.
“We are a defensive alliance. And stop the nuclear threats. This is absolutely not called for and not helpful,” Rutte said.
In its response to Russia, NATO said none of its “exercises or activities pose a threat to the territory of the Russian Federation” and urged Moscow to end its invasion of Ukraine and what it described as irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.
Asked whether the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons against the Baltic states had become real, Rutte said, “No, it’s not. Putin knows that he can never win (against) NATO, so I don’t take this that seriously.”
The warning comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and European countries over military exercises, arms supplies to Ukraine, sanctions and other measures that Moscow says threaten its security.
Nikolai Sokov, a Vienna-based nuclear analyst and former Russian diplomat, said the situation carried a risk of miscalculation, particularly as Western support for Ukraine continued.
“They (Russia) expect more action, including a blockade of the Baltic Sea – just below the level of war in European calculation, but for them this will be open war. I see a risk of mutual miscalculation,” Sokov said.
Meanwhile, Russian embassies in at least three European countries have accused NATO of escalating tensions through military exercises and scenarios involving Kaliningrad.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the warnings as diplomatic reminders to “hotheads in Europe”, while Russia has rejected Western claims that it is preparing to attack a NATO member.
A NATO diplomat described the Russian warning as another attempt to intimidate European countries, while a senior European defence official said it was the first time since the Cold War that Russia had issued such a threat.
