Staff Correspondent, Dhaka:
Russia’s warning that it could use nuclear weapons if NATO attempts to isolate Kaliningrad has added a sharper nuclear dimension to already strained relations between Moscow and the Western alliance.
In a diplomatic note reviewed by Reuters, Russia said any effort by NATO countries to cut off the heavily militarized Russian exclave could prompt Moscow to use its full range of capabilities, including nuclear weapons. It also warned of possible strikes against decision-making centers in NATO member states.
Kaliningrad’s geography makes it particularly sensitive. The Russian territory lies between NATO members Poland and Lithuania and borders the Baltic Sea, leaving it separated from mainland Russia. Its military importance, combined with its geographic isolation, has made it a potential flashpoint as NATO has strengthened its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NATO has rejected Moscow’s characterization of its activities as a threat to Russian territory. Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance is defensive and urged Russia to stop its nuclear threats. He also said NATO’s assessment of an immediate threat from Russia had not changed.
The significance of the latest exchange lies less in an indication of imminent nuclear use than in the widening gap between Russian threat perceptions and NATO’s stated intentions. Analysts cited by Reuters have warned that military exercises, infrastructure incidents, or actions perceived as an attempt to blockade Kaliningrad could increase the risk of miscalculation.
