In brief
Vladimir Putin warned at the Valdai forum that Russia is ready to use all its means to defend its exclave Kaliningrad from any Western attack or blockade. He dismissed past Western claims that Moscow was preparing for war in 2029–2030, calling those accusations unfounded. Putin accused NATO of staging naval manoeuvres that threaten the region, threatening nuclear options if the territory is cut off. The Kremlin stresses it does not want to attack anyone, but will react if aggression is perceived.
Putin is sounding the alarm: if the West blocks the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Moscow says it can deploy every weapon in its arsenal, even nuclear.
At the Valdai foreign‑policy forum, he dismissed Western claims that Russia is gearing up for war and said the Kremlin will only respond to real threats.
He warned that NATO’s naval exercises in the Baltic Sea are “serious threats” and that a blockade would trigger an all‑out defence, including nuclear weapons.
The Kremlin’s message is clear: it will not open fire unless it is provoked, but it has the strength to do so if needed.
Meanwhile, Europe’s allies are tightening security, citing rising hybrid‑war incidents around Poland and Lithuania as evidence of growing tensions.
