Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western countries against escalating tensions with Russia, saying the world is going through a dangerous period.
Speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow on October 1, Putin said Russia had no plans to attack European countries but would respond to any direct attack on Russian territory with all weapons available to it.
Putin specifically referred to Kaliningrad, Russia’s heavily militarised exclave located between Poland and Lithuania. He said Moscow would consider using its full arsenal if the territory were directly attacked or threatened.
His comments followed a diplomatic warning from Moscow to NATO concerning what Russia described as possible attempts to isolate or blockade Kaliningrad. NATO has rejected the suggestion that it intends to threaten the territory and has described itself as a defensive alliance.
Putin also criticised Western military support for Ukraine and argued that Russia was facing an opponent with significantly greater conventional military resources. He maintained that Moscow wanted peaceful coexistence with European countries.
The latest warning comes amid continued fighting between Russia and Ukraine and growing concerns in Europe about the possibility of further escalation.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, meanwhile, said Germany was preparing for possible further Russian hybrid attacks, including cyber and drone-related incidents. Moscow has rejected Western accusations that it is responsible for such attacks.
The developments have increased attention on relations between Russia and NATO, particularly around the Baltic region and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
