Vladimir Putin has warned he is prepared to use 'all weapons' – including nuclear – if Kaliningrad comes under attack. The Russian leader said he was prepared to respond if the West were to escalate the war in Ukraine and attack the territory, which is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania.
Russia's warning over Kaliningrad
NATO has carried out military drills by Kaliningrad, which they have called defensive exercises to strengthen deterrence. But Moscow is still concerned and warned the West would face retaliation if the territory were blockaded.
Putin said: 'All this is an escalation. And then we began to hear statements regarding the Kaliningrad region.'
'If it comes to direct attack against the Russian Federation, in this case on Kaliningrad and possibly some other territories, of course the issue of using all weapons in our country's arsenal will inevitably and unavoidably emerge on the agenda. This is unavoidable.'
Advisor's nuclear warning
One of Vladimir Putin's most senior advisors has said millions of innocent people face death if Vladimir Putin pushes his nuclear button. 'Professor Doomsday' Sergei Karaganov, 74, an Honorary Chairman of the Praesidium of Russia's Council on Foreign and Defence Policy, issued the warning after weeks of increasing tensions.
He said Russia will go nuclear if the West sends troops into Ukraine or touches the Kremlin's Baltic Sea outpost, Kaliningrad. He went on to say that a 'nuclear war in Europe would be easily won', but inflict 'terrible moral damage' on Russia.
'Millions of innocent people would perish,' he said, referencing NATO nations.
NATO's response
NATO responded to Russia's outright threat to deploy nuclear weapons if Kaliningrad is 'threatened' by the alliance. 'We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,' the organisation said.
'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.'
