Understand
Putin warns West that Russia is ready to use every weapon to protect Kaliningrad
Overview
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow will use all available weapons, including nuclear options, if the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad faces a direct attack or blockade by the West. Speaking at the Valdai foreign policy forum, Putin denied threatening anyone but accused NATO of preparing for conflict and holding threatening naval manoeuvres in the Baltic Sea. NATO rejected the accusations as unhelpful, while Western nations expressed growing concern over rising hybrid warfare incidents, drone incursions, and ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Key points
- Vladimir Putin warned that Russia would use all weapons at its disposal if Kaliningrad or other Russian territories face a direct attack or blockade.
- Putin claimed Russia is not threatening anyone and blamed Western leaders for provoking conflict, while NATO urged Moscow to halt its nuclear threats.
- Western officials and Baltic states have reported an increase in hybrid warfare incidents, airspace violations, and security threats linked to Russia.
- Putin defended Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine, claiming attacks on Ukrainian economic targets were a response to strikes on Russian oil refineries.
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that alliance exercises pose no threat to Moscow and dismissed the Kremlin's messaging as unhelpful.