Russia Warns NATO It Could Use Nuclear Weapons Over Kaliningrad

Russia has warned NATO that it is prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if the alliance tries to cut the Baltic exclave off from the rest of the country, according to a diplomatic note seen by Reuters. NATO has replied that it is a defensive alliance and that none of its exercises threaten Russian territory.

NATO confirmed the exchange on Wednesday, and the Kremlin defended the warning. A senior European defence official told Reuters it was the first time since the Cold War that Russia had threatened the alliance in this way, and called it serious.

What Moscow told NATO

In the document, Moscow accused the alliance of a "dangerous and reckless course" that entailed "high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict", Reuters reported. It said this included the possibility of "Russian strikes against decision-making centers in the alliance's member states right from the outset."

"Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, in order to defend its territory should NATO countries undertake any attempt aimed at isolating the Kaliningrad Region from the rest of the country," the note said, according to Reuters.

The memo said Moscow had "information that NATO is preparing an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad", Al Jazeera reported. Russian embassies in at least three European countries issued similar statements this week, according to Reuters.

Asked about the warning, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed to what he called "rampant statements" from Poland and other European countries about Kaliningrad. "It's only natural that our diplomats are trying to remind the hotheads in Europe about our policy documents regarding this matter," he told reporters, AP reported.

NATO's response

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that the alliance had received the message and had sent a reply, "noting that NATO is a defensive Alliance and none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia." She added: "We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."

In the written reply, seen by Reuters, NATO urged Russia "to refrain from increasingly reckless behaviour towards the Allies and to cease its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."

Secretary-General Mark Rutte, speaking at a defence conference in Brussels hosted by Euronews, said the alliance's message to Moscow was: "We are a defensive alliance. And stop the nuclear threats. This is absolutely not called for and not helpful."

Asked whether the risk of nuclear weapons being used against the Baltic states was now real, Rutte replied: "No, it's not." He said Russian President Vladimir Putin knew he could never win against NATO. "NATO is so much stronger than Russia is, so there's no way they can ever beat us," he said, as quoted by POLITICO.

Why Kaliningrad matters

Kaliningrad, formerly the German city of Königsberg, became part of the Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War. It sits between Poland and Lithuania, both NATO members, has a population of about one million and hosts Russia's main Baltic naval base and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles, according to Reuters and AP.

Moscow says it sees a growing Western threat to the territory, according to Reuters. In May, Russia said remarks by Lithuania's foreign minister were "verging on insanity" after he said NATO had to show Moscow it was capable of "penetrating the small fortress they've built in Kaliningrad", Reuters reported.

A Western military source told Reuters that dozens of aircraft from NATO members took part in an unannounced operation around Kaliningrad in mid-August, showing they could cut the exclave's radio and radar links and its air defences in the event of a conflict.

NATO says it has increased its presence in the Baltic Sea partly to protect undersea energy and communications infrastructure.

Rising tension in the Baltic

Relations between Russia and European governments have worsened sharply this year. European capitals accuse Moscow of waging a "hybrid war" that includes sabotage and arson, which Russia denies, according to Reuters. Russia also rejects Western claims that it is preparing to attack a NATO country.

Poland has raised its air defence posture after alleged incursions into its airspace in recent weeks, Al Jazeera reported.

Nikolai Sokov, a Vienna-based nuclear analyst and former Russian diplomat, told Reuters that Moscow expected more Western action, including a possible blockade of the Baltic Sea. "I see a risk of mutual miscalculation," he said.

More NATO exercises are planned in the Baltic region in October, according to AP.