Putin says Russia will use 'all weapons' in its arsenal if any of its territory is attacked
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia will utilize its entire military arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if its territory—specifically Kaliningrad—is attacked by NATO. Putin framed these remarks as a defensive response to Western intimidation and military posturing in the Baltic region.
Why it matters
This statement marks a significant escalation in rhetoric between Russia and NATO, heightening concerns regarding nuclear brinkmanship in Eastern Europe.
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (October 1, 2026) reiterated Moscow's long-held position that Russia is not planning to attack European countries but will respond to aggression with “all weapons" in its arsenal.
In remarks at a foreign policy forum, Mr. Putin accused the West and Europe of escalating tensions by talking about preparing for a war with Moscow in the coming years, conducting military drills in the Baltic Sea, and seizing Russian vessels.
His remarks followed Moscow's warning to NATO that it would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad should any members of the military alliance try to cut off the Baltic exclave from the rest of Russia.
Several Russian embassies in Europe this week issued statements that Moscow has “information that NATO is preparing [an] air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad and [the] Kaliningrad region.”
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8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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