0
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at the Valdai Discussion Club meeting in Moscow on the 1st (local time). / AP, Yonhap

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West against escalating the war in Ukraine, declaring that Russia is prepared to use all weapons in its arsenal, including nuclear arms, should its exclave of Kaliningrad come under attack.

Speaking at the Valdai International Discussion Club meeting held in Moscow on the 1st (local time), President Putin stated that while Russia has no intention of attacking European nations, it stands ready to respond to Western aggression if necessary.

He specifically singled out Kaliningrad, a Russian territory sandwiched between NATO member states Poland and Lithuania.

NATO recently conducted military exercises near Kaliningrad amid Russian concerns, describing the drills as defensive maneuvers aimed at bolstering deterrence.

Late last month, Russia warned that it would retaliate if NATO attempted to blockade Kaliningrad by air or sea.

"Exercises are being held in succession across the Baltic Sea, and there are even attempts to seize our vessels and ships," Putin said. "All of these constitute escalatory actions."

He went on to emphasize, "If a direct attack is launched against the Russian Federation, particularly against Kaliningrad and other territories, the issue of deploying every weapon at Russia's disposal will inevitably be placed on the agenda. This is unavoidable."

Western nations, including NATO members, have accused Russia of waging hybrid warfare—such as cyberattacks, sabotage, and espionage—to undermine foreign support for Ukraine.

Showing no sign of scaling back his offensive against Ukraine, President Putin is instead intensifying strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the capital, Kyiv, ahead of an expected brutally cold winter.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min