Russia Warns of a Nuclear Response if Kaliningrad Is Cut Off
Moscow has told NATO in writing that it would be ready to use its entire arsenal, nuclear weapons included, if alliance members tried to isolate its Baltic exclave from the rest of the country. The alliance confirmed receiving the document and said it had replied. “We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,” the NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said. Russian embassies across Europe issued similar statements this week.
Kaliningrad is the most awkward geography in the alliance: a heavily militarised Russian salient wedged between Poland and Lithuania, home to the main Baltic naval base and to nuclear-capable Iskander missiles, and reachable overland from Russia only through the narrow corridor between the two. A blockade of it is the standard war-game scenario for a clash between Russia and NATO, which is why Moscow’s claim to hold “information that NATO is preparing an air and naval blockade” does double duty as grievance and as pretext. The embassy in Ireland put the threat plainly on Tuesday: “There should be no mistake — Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries try to isolate Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.” The reply was narrow and deliberate: Russia “sent a non-paper”, the alliance responded “noting that Nato is a defensive Alliance and none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia”. Dmitry Peskov deflected to what he called “rampant statements” from Poland and other European nations. Watch whether NATO publishes its written reply.