Putin threatens to use "all kinds of weapons" if Kaliningrad is attacked

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that it is impossible to be certain that weapons of mass destruction will never be used, and stressed the need to prevent such a scenario from occurring.

Speaking at the Valdai Forum of international Russia experts in Moscow, Putin said, "Can we be sure that this weapon will never be used? Of course not. We must take that into account and avoid it."

The Russian President also hinted that Moscow might resort to using "all kinds of weapons," including nuclear ones, if NATO forces attack the Kaliningrad region, but he stressed that the Kremlin does not intend to "attack anyone."

Putin said: "If it comes to a direct attack against Russia, specifically against Kaliningrad, the question of using all types of weapons that we possess will be on the table."

Russia had warned NATO that it would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if the alliance tried to isolate Kaliningrad, a Russian region located on the Baltic Sea.

Russia accused the alliance in a document it sent to it of following a "dangerous and reckless path" that entails "high risks that threaten the outbreak of a direct armed conflict."

The document stated that this includes the possibility of “Russia launching strikes on decision-making centers in NATO member states once the conflict erupts.”

The diplomatic document stated: “Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities available to it, including nuclear weapons, in order to defend its territory if NATO countries make any attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country.”

The warning highlights Russia's deep concern about what it sees as a growing threat from the alliance to Kaliningrad, a heavily fortified military region located between Poland and Lithuania.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance responded to Russia's message by saying, "We are a defensive alliance. Stop making nuclear threats. This is completely unjustified and useless."

The alliance said in a written response that “none of the alliance’s activities or training poses a threat to the territory of the Russian Federation.” He added, "We call on the Russian Federation to end its unjustified all-out war in Ukraine. We urge it to refrain from increasing reckless behavior towards allies and to stop its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."