Moscow takes Polish and Baltic threats to Kaliningrad seriously

Russia's envoy to the OSCE, Dmitry Polyansky, stated Moscow takes threats to Kaliningrad from Polish and Baltic politicians seriously, factoring them into security planning. He cited military exercises near the region and statements about disrupting transport links with mainland Russia. Polyansky said Moscow must prepare for the worst-case scenario while hoping it is avoided. His comments follow President Vladimir Putin's clarification that a Russian Foreign Ministry letter to Western nations did not explicitly threaten nuclear weapons use. Putin warned that a direct attack on Kaliningrad or other Russian territory would inevitably and immediately raise the question of using all available weapons. The statements come amid heightened tensions over the exclave's strategic position.