‘Playing a dangerous game’: Putin threatens using ‘all its arsenal’ if there is a ‘direct attack on the Russian Federation’

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Thursday that Russia would utilize its entire arsenal, encompassing nuclear weapons, if NATO countries attempted to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of Russia. This threat came during a foreign policy forum after Moscow accused NATO of preparing to blockade the Baltic exclave. Russian embassies in Europe had also stated information that NATO was preparing an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad.

Putin accused the West and Europe of escalating tensions by discussing the possibility of a war with Moscow and conducting military drills in the Baltic Sea. NATO pushed back against Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, stating they strongly denounce the threat of force and are defensive in nature. They emphasized that none of their activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged the Russian warning and urged Russia to stop its “unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine,” which has been going on for five years. NATO’s response also called for Russia to cease its aggression against Ukraine. European leaders and intelligence services have warned that Russia might strike another country within a few years, especially if it secures its victory in Ukraine.