- Moscow warned NATO that it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if NATO tried to cut off the Baltic exclave from Russia.
- The Russian Embassy in Ireland stated: “There should be no mistake” Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries try to isolate (the) Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.
- NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed Russia sent a written message to the alliance and denounced the threat of force, including “any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.”
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the bloc's response was “short and concise” and urged Russia to stop its “unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.”
- Putin reiterated Moscow's position that Russia is not planning to attack European countries but will respond to aggression with “all weapons” in its arsenal.
- Putin said that “everything is written correctly” in the earlier warning to NATO and that a direct attack on Russian territory would bring the question of using “all weapons” onto the agenda.
- Putin accused the West and Europe of escalating tensions by talking about preparing for war, conducting military drills in the Baltic Sea, and seizing Russian vessels.
- Putin didn’t specify whether Moscow would use nuclear weapons but said it has arms that “no one else has” and would determine which to use in case of an attack.
In a stark warning, President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia would utilize all weapons in its arsenal, including nuclear capabilities, if its territory is threatened, particularly regarding the Kaliningrad exclave. He accused the West of escalating tensions through military drills and preparations for war, stating, "If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation... the question of Russian Federation using all weapons at the disposal of our country will appear on the agenda."12
Putin's comments came after Russian embassies in Europe claimed to have information about NATO's potential plans for an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad. The Russian Embassy in Ireland stated, “There should be no mistake — Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries try to isolate (the) Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.”
NATO responded firmly, with spokesperson Allison Hart denouncing the threats, stating, “We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the alliance's response to Russia's message as “short and concise.” The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its fifth year, remains a critical backdrop to these escalating tensions.4567
“NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed Russia sent a written message and denounced 'any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,' while Secretary-General Mark Rutte called the bloc's response 'short and concise' and urged Russia to end its 'unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.'”
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