Russia issues nuclear warning to NATO over Kaliningrad
In a diplomatic 'non-paper' seen by Reuters, Moscow warned it would use its 'entire arsenal... including nuclear weapons' if NATO attempted to isolate Kaliningrad; the alliance confirmed receipt and condemned 'irresponsible nuclear rhetoric'.
Russia has warned NATO it would resort to nuclear weapons if the alliance attempted to cut off Kaliningrad, in a sharply worded diplomatic document seen by Reuters.
The document, classed as a “non-paper” — diplomatic jargon for an informal paper — accused NATO of a “dangerous and reckless course” that carried “high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict”, Reuters reported. It raised the prospect of “Russian strikes against decision-making centers in the alliance’s member states right from the outset of the conflict”.
“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 text said.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed receipt: “I can confirm that Russia sent a non-paper to NATO and that we have sent a response,” she said, condemning the “threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric”. She added that NATO is a defensive alliance and “none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia”, Rapporteur reported.
Separately, Russian embassies in at least three European countries have issued statements in the past three days accusing NATO of escalating tensions through military exercises and planning scenarios involving Kaliningrad, while insisting Russia has no intention of attacking NATO countries.
Kaliningrad is a heavily militarised Russian territory sandwiched between NATO members Poland and Lithuania.
Sources
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