Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Oct. 1 that Russia could use nuclear weapons if NATO attacked Kaliningrad, renewing Moscow’s nuclear threats amid growing military tensions between Russia and the alliance.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club, Putin said Russia would respond to an attack on its territory with “all weapons” available to it, according to CNN. He specifically cited Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave bordered by NATO members Poland and Lithuania, as a potential flashpoint.
Putin said Russia does not intend to attack European countries, but warned that Moscow would respond to what he described as aggression against Russia. His comments come as NATO has increased military activity in the Baltic region amid concerns over Russian military activity and the war in Ukraine.
Kaliningrad is home to parts of Russia’s Baltic Fleet and has long been viewed as a strategically important military outpost because of its location between NATO members. Moscow has previously warned that attempts to isolate or blockade the territory could constitute an act of war.
Putin’s comments add to a series of recent Russian saber-rattling statements invoking the country’s nuclear arsenal in response to potential Western military actions. Putin has said in the past that Moscow changed its nuclear doctrine to add a list of Western actions that could elicit Russia responding with nuclear weapons.