Russia prepared to use ‘all weapons’ to protect Kaliningrad, Putin warns West

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West against escalating the war in Ukraine, saying Moscow is prepared to use “all weapons” in its arsenal — including nuclear — if its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad comes under attack. Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow on Thursday, the Russian leader said he had no plans to attack any European country but was prepared to respond to Western aggression if necessary and referenced the Russian territory sandwiched between NATO members Poland and Lithuania. His warning follows recent military drills by NATO near Kaliningrad that the bloc has described as defensive exercises to strengthen deterrence. Those exercises have prompted strong concerns from Moscow, which warned in late September it would retaliate if NATO attempted to blockade the exclave by air or sea.