Russia warns NATO it could use nuclear arms if Kaliningrad is isolated

Russia has warned NATO it would be ready to resort to nuclear weapons if the alliance attempted to cut off Kaliningrad, its Baltic exclave between Poland and Lithuania, RTÉ reported, citing a Reuters-seen document.

Non-paper threat

In a “non-paper” sent to NATO, Moscow accused the alliance of a “dangerous and reckless course” with “high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict,” including the possibility “of Russian strikes against decision-making centres in the alliance’s member states right from the outset of the conflict.” The text said Russia would be ready to use “the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons,” to defend its territory if NATO countries tried to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of the country.

Russian embassies in at least three European countries have in recent days issued statements accusing NATO of escalating tensions through exercises and planning scenarios involving Kaliningrad. Russia rejected Western allegations that it poses a threat to Europe and said it had no intention of attacking NATO countries, while warning that aggression against Kaliningrad would meet the strongest possible response.

NATO response

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed receipt of the non-paper but did not disclose its contents. “We have sent a response, noting that NATO is a defensive Alliance and none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia. We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. We call on Russia to end its unprovoked war in Ukraine,” she said. A senior European defence official told Reuters this was the “first time since [the] Cold War that Russia is threatening us like this.” A NATO diplomat called the letter another attempt to intimidate Europeans and said the alliance would not be dissuaded from supporting Ukraine.