Putin renews warning over Kaliningrad and says Russia has no plans to attack Europe
The Russian president ties his threat to an attack on Russian territory; NATO stresses its defensive role.
Vladimir Putin warned on 1 October that an attack on Russian territory could prompt Moscow to use its full arsenal, including nuclear weapons. Speaking at the Valdai Forum, he singled out Kaliningrad, Russia’s Baltic exclave between Poland and Lithuania, Reuters reported.
A conditional threat, alongside a denial of attack plans
Putin also said Russia had no plans to attack European countries. His remarks follow an earlier Russian diplomatic warning about access to Kaliningrad. They do not establish that NATO has decided to blockade the territory or that a new military operation is imminent.
NATO’s response
Reuters reported that NATO secretary general Mark Rutte emphasised the alliance’s defensive role and said nuclear threats were unhelpful. The competing statements highlight the risk of escalation around the Baltic while Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
Updated reporting
This article has been expanded using Reuters’ fuller report, updated at 18:14 UTC on 1 October. The original publication time is retained.
Sources & verification
Sources checked: 2 October 2026
