Russia warns NATO of nuclear response over possible Kaliningrad isolation

Russia has warned NATO that it would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempted to cut off Kaliningrad, a Russian territory on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania. The warning was contained in a diplomatic document sent to NATO and seen by Reuters. Moscow accused the alliance of following a dangerous course that carried a high risk of direct armed conflict.

The note said Russia could strike decision-making centres in NATO member states at the outset of a conflict. It also said Moscow would use the forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, to defend Kaliningrad if NATO countries tried to isolate the region from the rest of Russia. NATO said in a written response that it was a defensive alliance committed to protecting its members against threats from all directions.

It said none of its exercises or activities posed a threat to Russian territory. The alliance called on Russia to end its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, refrain from what it described as increasingly reckless behaviour towards NATO members and stop its nuclear rhetoric. Nikolai Sokov, a Vienna-based nuclear analyst and former Russian diplomat, said the warning could reflect concern in Moscow about Western arms supplies to Ukraine, sanctions, ship interceptions, military exercises and intelligence flights near Kaliningrad.

He warned of a risk of miscalculation. Russian embassies in at least three European countries have also accused NATO of escalating tensions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the warnings diplomatic reminders, while a NATO diplomat described the letter as an attempt to intimidate Europeans.