NATO Responds to Russian Warning Over Kaliningrad, Condemns ‘Irresponsible Nuclear Rhetoric’
Russia’s embassy in Belgium warned NATO on Monday, Sept. 28 that Moscow is ready to use its entire arsenal if the alliance tries to isolate Kaliningrad, Russia’s exclave located on the Baltic sea, between Lithuania, Poland and Belarus. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart rejected the warning, reiterating that the alliance does not pose a risk to Russia as it is exclusively defensive.
NATO has responded to Russia's warning that it would use its entire arsenal to defend Kaliningrad if the alliance attempts to block the region. A NATO spokesperson confirmed that the Russian diplomatic document concerned Kaliningrad. The spokesperson condemned Russia's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric" and emphasized that NATO is exclusively a defensive alliance, ready to counter any threat.
The exclave, located between Lithuania and Poland, has no land connection to Russia and is linked only by sea. Kaliningrad, once part of East Prussia, was taken by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II and renamed in 1946. It hosts the headquarters of the Russian Baltic Fleet and is Russia's only ice-free port on the Baltic.
NATO has long been concerned that Russia could station non-strategic nuclear weapons in Kaliningrad. The bigger worry remains the Suwałki Gap, a stretch of the Polish-Lithuanian border that could allow Russian forces to seize control and cut off the Baltic states from allied reinforcements. The exclave's position leaves it exposed to potential attacks from Russia, especially with Finland and Sweden joining NATO recently.
Russia has accused NATO and its members of pursuing an "aggressive policy" and has threatened to deploy its entire arsenal if the alliance tries to isolate Kaliningrad.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
