Putin warns nuclear weapons use cannot be ruled out amid rising tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized on Thursday that Russia is not planning to invade European nations but would defend its territory with "all weapons" in its arsenal in response to aggression. At a foreign policy forum, Putin criticized the West and Europe for escalating tensions by discussing a potential war with Russia, conducting military exercises in the Baltic Sea, and seizing Russian vessels.

Following Moscow's threat to NATO that it would use nuclear weapons to protect Kaliningrad if any NATO members attempted to cut off the Baltic exclave, several Russian embassies in Europe released statements claiming Moscow had evidence of NATO preparing an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad. Russia accused European leaders of "playing a dangerous game" by suggesting Russia might attack another country or escalate a campaign of destabilization through drones and sabotage.

Moscow dismissed these allegations as absurd, stating that Russia would use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries sought to isolate Kaliningrad. At the Valdai Club forum, Putin was asked if Russia was close to a war with NATO or if both sides were trying to intimidate each other. He replied that it was not intimidation but a response to an attempt to intimidate.

He reiterated that if Russia faced a direct attack on its territory, including Kaliningrad or other regions, it would inevitably and immediately use all available weapons. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart affirmed on Wednesday that Russia had sent a written message to the US-led military alliance, denouncing the threat of force, including nuclear rhetoric.

NATO emphasized that it is a defensive alliance and that none of its activities or exercises pose a threat to any part of Russia. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged the Russian message and urged Russia to cease its "unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine." The Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, situated between NATO members Poland and Lithuania, hosts Russia's primary Baltic naval base and other military assets, including nuclear-capable Iskander missiles.

NATO allies have conducted military exercises in the Baltic Sea region in recent months, with more planned in October. The alliance launched Operation Baltic Sentry in Kaliningrad last year to safeguard communication cables and pipelines. A large-scale exercise involving several aircraft, including an EA-37B Compass Call, was conducted by NATO in August over northern Poland and the Baltic region.

European leaders and intelligence services have warned that Russia might strike another country within a few years, especially if it achieves victory in Ukraine.