Russia warns NATO of possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off

Russia has warned NATO it is prepared to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if the Western alliance attempts to cut off the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad , according to a diplomatic document sent to member states. The diplomatic memo sent on Wednesday claimed Moscow has “information that NATO is preparing an air and naval blockade of Kaliningrad”. NATO’s response came through its Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who said that NATO is a defensive alliance and that Russia should “stop the nuclear threats”, calling the document unhelpful. Rutte also downplayed the seriousness of the threat, saying that “Putin knows that he can never win” in a direct escalation with NATO.