Russia has warned NATO that it could use nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempted to isolate Kaliningrad, sharply escalating tensions between Moscow and the military alliance over the heavily militarised Russian territory on the Baltic Sea.
In a diplomatic document sent to NATO and seen by Reuters, Moscow accused the alliance of pursuing a “dangerous and reckless course” that carried “high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict.”
The document warned that any confrontation could include Russian strikes against decision-making centres in NATO member states from the beginning of a conflict.
“Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons,” the document said, if NATO countries attempted to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.
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The document was classified as a “non-paper”, a diplomatic term for an informal communication that does not constitute a formal treaty or policy statement.
Why Kaliningrad Is a Flashpoint
Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea situated between NATO members Poland and Lithuania. Its strategic location and heavy militarisation have made it a longstanding point of concern in relations between Russia and the alliance.
Alongside the private diplomatic warning, Russian embassies in at least three European countries have issued statements accusing NATO of escalating tensions through military exercises and scenarios involving Kaliningrad.
Moscow has rejected Western allegations that it poses a military threat to Europe and said it has no intention of attacking NATO members.
But Russia has warned that any attempt to attack or isolate Kaliningrad would trigger the strongest possible response.
The warnings come as European governments accuse Moscow of intensifying what they describe as a “hybrid war” involving alleged sabotage, arson and other activities across the continent. Russia denies the allegations and has rejected claims from Western officials that it is preparing for a possible attack on a NATO country.
NATO Rejects Russia’s Nuclear Threat
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that Russia had sent a non-paper to the alliance 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,” she said.
Hart said NATO strongly rejected threats of force, including what she described as irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, and called on Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
The warning has alarmed European officials because of its explicit reference to nuclear weapons.
A senior European defence official described it as the first time since the Cold War that Russia had issued such a threat against Europe, calling the development serious.
A NATO diplomat, however, described the Russian communication as an attempt to intimidate European governments and said the alliance’s response was firm and responsible.
The dispute over Kaliningrad highlights how quickly military tensions around the Baltic region could escalate into a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. With both sides conducting military exercises and issuing increasingly forceful warnings, the Russian nuclear threat adds another layer of risk to an already tense European security environment.
With information from Reuters.
