Russia warns against using nuclear weapons to protect Kaliningrad from NATO isolation

Russia has warned that it is ready to use all means, including nuclear weapons, to protect the Kaliningrad region from isolation, according to a statement distributed by Moscow's embassy in Ireland.

The diplomatic mission said in its statement: “Information has emerged indicating that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is preparing to impose an air and sea blockade on the city of Kaliningrad and its province. This is not a fantasy, but rather an issue of grave concern to Russia. “The European political elite, in its recklessness and short-sightedness, is playing with fire,” according to the RT channel website.

The embassy warned: “No one should have the slightest doubt that Russia will be prepared to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, in defense of its territory if NATO countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad Oblast from the rest of the country’s territory.”

She added: “Under such a scenario, the risk of an armed confrontation increases, with the possibility that Russia will launch pre-emptive strikes on decision-making centers in NATO countries from the early stages of the conflict.” The embassy described the issue as “extremely serious,” calling on Europe to “deal with it on this basis.”