Putin states Russia will use all weapons to protect Kaliningrad if attacked

Vladimir Putin stated that Russia will utilize all weapons at its disposal if it perceives its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad to be under direct attack. The Russian president emphasized that Moscow is 'not threatening anyone' but is responding to Western leaders' claims regarding potential war preparations for 2029 or 2030. Russia has accused NATO of planning to blockade Kaliningrad, which borders Lithuania and Poland, and warned that it would consider using nuclear weapons if the West attempted to isolate the territory. NATO has responded by asserting its defensive nature and urging Moscow to cease its 'nuclear threats.' In recent months, Western allies have reported an increase in hybrid warfare incidents attributed to Russia, particularly in Poland and the Baltic region. Poland reported that a Russian helicopter entered its airspace near Kaliningrad, while Lithuania expressed concerns over perceived threats from Russia, including drone incursions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that Germany is preparing for further hybrid attacks following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport. In a speech at the Valdai foreign policy forum, Putin suggested that international conflicts are likely to persist but may improve as 'Western hegemony' diminishes. He reiterated that the West provoked the invasion of Ukraine, which Russia initiated in February 2022, and claimed that attacks on Ukrainian economic targets were responses to Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil infrastructure. Putin acknowledged that Ukraine had achieved some success with its refinery attacks and noted that Russia's GDP had decreased by approximately 1%. He stated that if Kaliningrad or other Russian territories were directly attacked, the use of all available arms would be considered. Putin criticized NATO's naval exercises in the Baltic Sea as serious threats to Kaliningrad and affirmed that Russia would respond to aggression. He mentioned awareness of the nuclear capabilities of nations like the UK and France, asserting that Russia's weapons are unmatched. Concerns have been raised by Western officials that Russia might exploit the proximity of Kaliningrad to Belarus to seize Lithuanian territory. Lithuania's prime minister revealed evacuation plans in case of a Russian invasion, and NATO has stationed thousands of troops in the country. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte clarified that the alliance's activities do not pose a threat to Moscow and criticized the Kremlin's rhetoric as unhelpful. Putin also discussed the potential catastrophic consequences of global armaments and called for a reevaluation of warfare rules, warning of the risks associated with artificial intelligence in military contexts.