Russia has warned NATO that it could use nuclear weapons if Kaliningrad, its territory surrounded by NATO member countries, is blockaded.
According to Reuters on the 30th (local time), Russia said in a letter to NATO, "We are prepared to use all military forces and means, including nuclear weapons, to defend our territory if NATO member states make any attempt to isolate Kaliningrad from other parts of the country."
In the letter, which was classified as non-paper, Russia claimed that NATO was taking "dangerous and reckless actions" that carry a "high risk of direct armed conflict."
In addition to the warning sent to NATO, over the past three days, Russian embassies in three European countries have issued statements criticizing NATO for escalating tensions through military exercises and scenarios including Kaliningrad.
NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said, "NATO is a defensive alliance and we have responded that our activities or exercises do not pose a threat to any part of Russia. We strongly condemn the threat of use of force, especially the irresponsible nuclear statement."
Kaliningrad, a Russian extraterritorial territory bordering the Baltic Sea, shares borders with NATO member countries Poland and Lithuania. Russia is deploying Iskander missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads here.
European security authorities consider the Suwauki Corridor, a 100-kilometer overland corridor from Kaliningrad to Russian ally Belarus, to be NATO's Achilles' heel. If Russia takes over this corridor that forms the border between Poland and Lithuania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will be isolated from other NATO members.
Poland has criticized the 'Zapad' (west) joint military exercises held every four years by Russia and Belarus, saying they were designed to seize the Suwalki Corridor. Lithuania permanently stationed the German 45th Armored Brigade to defend the corridor.
Tensions in the region are rising, with Poland and Lithuania planning scenarios to evacuate civilians, amid recent speculation that Russia may launch armed provocations against NATO member countries.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski argued on the 11th of this month that NATO should pressure Russia with 'aggressive' military exercises near Kaliningrad. Last August, NATO dispatched a large number of E-3A airborne early warning and control aircraft (AWACS) and US and Norwegian fighter jets near Kaliningrad to train in aerial strike, refueling, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
Kremlin (Russian President's Office) spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press conference that day, "We are repeatedly hearing quite absurd statements mentioning Kaliningrad in Poland and other European countries," and added, "It is natural for our diplomats to remind radicals in Europe of Russia's policy documents on this matter."
