Putin warns West on Baltic escalation, vows to defend Russia with all means

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has no intention of attacking anyone but is ready to defend itself "with all means at its disposal" against what he called Western "escalation," including threats to the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad. He cited Russia's nuclear arsenal as a competitive advantage. Speaking at the Valdai Club conference, Putin dismissed Western warnings about a potential war in 2029-2030 and NATO exercises in the Baltic Sea as escalation. He warned that a direct attack on Russian territory would raise the question of using all available means, including nuclear weapons, given Russia's numerical disadvantage against potential adversaries. The remarks follow a Russian Foreign Ministry warning to NATO and recent alliance exercises near Kaliningrad. The EU condemned Russia's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric," while Russia expelled Hungarian embassy staff in retaliation for Budapest's expulsion of Russian diplomats. Separately, the UK announced new sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet and disinformation networks.