MOSCOW (Dispatches) - Russia has warned that any attempt to blockade the Kaliningrad Region by the UK or NATO will be met with a response using all means, including nuclear weapons.
In a statement on Telegram, the Russian Embassy in London said this while responding to UK media reports that discussed the possibility of a NATO blockade of Kaliningrad or non-recognition of Russian sovereignty over the region.
“Those advocating plans to blockade Kaliningrad or launch a strike against it should have no illusions about the consequences. Any military action by the UK or NATO against Russian territory will be met with a response using all means available to Russia, including nuclear weapons,” it stressed.
The embassy reiterated that Russia “does not seek confrontation with NATO and Europe and does not intend to attack them,” adding that those who choose to initiate such a conflict “should not be under any illusions” that Russia would respond accordingly.
The Kaliningrad Region is a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, situated between Poland and Lithuania and separated from mainland Russia by Lithuanian territory.
Last week, in remarks to Anadolu, the Russian Embassy in Paris also commented on what it described as “provocative statements regarding the possibility of NATO forces striking the Kaliningrad region or blocking access to it.”
“We wish to emphasize that Russia will use all means at its disposal to defend its territory and that, should any attempt be made to carry out such plans, the retaliation will be inevitable and overwhelming,” the embassy said.
Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia will not travel around the world seeking “handouts”.
Speaking at the first session of the newly elected State Duma in Moscow, Putin urged lawmakers to work closely with the government to provide the necessary legislative basis for Russia’s further economic development.
“Russia, unlike some others — we will not point fingers — cannot run around the world humiliatingly begging for handouts with an outstretched hand,” he said, in an apparent reference to Ukraine.
Putin also said Russia’s financial system and economy were performing confidently, urging officials to avoid mistakes in addressing economic challenges.
“Russia’s financial system and economy feel confident. The main thing is not to make any mistakes and to approach the resolution of tasks in these extremely important areas responsibly,” he said.