Putin warns West that Russia is ready to use every weapon to protect Kaliningrad
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia is prepared to use all available weapons, including nuclear options, if its Kaliningrad exclave is attacked. The statement comes amid rising tensions with NATO and accusations of hybrid warfare in the Baltic region.
Why it matters
This rhetoric escalates geopolitical instability in Eastern Europe and highlights the ongoing nuclear brinkmanship between Russia and Western alliances.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Paul Kirby , Europe digital editor, and Alys Davies Getty Images Vladimir Putin has said Russia will use all weapons at his disposal if it considers its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad to have come under direct attack.
The Russian president insisted that Moscow was "not threatening anyone" and merely responding to statements by Western leaders that it was preparing for war in 2029 or 2030.
Throughout this week, Russia has accused Nato of preparing to blockade its territory, which borders Lithuania and Poland, warning that it would even be prepared to use nuclear weapons if the West tried to cut off Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.
Nato has sought to calm the situation, stressing that it was a defensive alliance and urging Moscow to stop its "nuclear threats".
Also covering this story
8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Russia threatens nuclear strikes on Nato countries over Kaliningrad - Financial Times
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