Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday reiterated that Moscow has no plans to attack European countries but warned that Russia would respond to any aggression with “all weapons” available to it.

Speaking at the Valdai Club foreign policy forum, Putin accused Western and European countries of heightening tensions by discussing preparations for a possible war with Russia in the coming years, holding military exercises in the Baltic Sea and seizing Russian vessels.

His comments came after Moscow warned NATO that it would not rule out using nuclear weapons to defend Kaliningrad if members of the military alliance attempted to cut the Russian exclave off from the rest of the country.

Several Russian embassies in Europe issued statements this week saying Moscow had information that NATO was preparing an “air and naval blockade” of Kaliningrad and the surrounding region.

The embassies accused European leaders of “playing a dangerous game” by suggesting that Russia could attack another country or intensify destabilizing operations involving drones and sabotage. Moscow has dismissed the allegations as absurd.

“There should be no mistake — Russia would be ready to use all its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries try to isolate Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country,” the Russian Embassy in Ireland said Tuesday.

Asked at the forum whether Russia and NATO were approaching a war or simply trying to intimidate one another, Putin said Moscow's warnings were a response to what he described as attempts to intimidate Russia.

“It’s not intimidation, it’s a response to an attempt to intimidate us,” he said.

Putin said the earlier warning to NATO was accurate.

“If it comes to a direct attack on the Russian Federation — in this case we mean Kaliningrad, or maybe some other territories — of course, inevitably and immediately the question of Russian Federation using all weapons at the disposal of our country will appear on the agenda,” he said.

Putin did not say specifically whether Russia would use nuclear weapons. However, he said Moscow possesses weapons that “no one else has” and would decide which ones to use if the country came under attack.

NATO rejects Russia’s nuclear rhetoric
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed Wednesday that Russia had sent a written message to the US-led military alliance.

“We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric,” Hart said in a statement.

Hart said NATO was not targeting Kaliningrad and that the alliance had responded by stressing that “NATO is a defensive alliance and none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia.”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance’s response was “short and concise.”

“Basically what we said is, ‘Hey, listen, we are defensive alliance, and stop the nuclear threat. This is absolutely not called for and not helpful,’” Rutte told Euronews.

NATO also called on Russia to end its “unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine,” which has entered its fifth year.

Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave located between NATO members Poland and Lithuania. It hosts Russia’s main Baltic naval base and other military facilities, including nuclear-capable Iskander missiles.

Western military officials have said key military installations in Kaliningrad would likely be among the first targets if Russia attacked a NATO member.

NATO allies have held military exercises in the Baltic Sea region in recent months, with additional drills planned for October. The alliance launched Operation Baltic Sentry there last year to protect communication cables and pipelines.

On Aug. 18, NATO conducted an exercise over northern Poland and the Baltic region involving several aircraft, including an EA-37B Compass Call, an advanced US aircraft capable of disrupting communications and radar, according to the US Air Forces in Europe.

Defense analysts said the large-scale exercise, which had not been announced in advance, was unlikely to have been welcomed by the Kremlin.

Rutte calls for continued support for Ukraine
European leaders and intelligence agencies have warned that Russia could be capable of attacking another country within a few years, particularly if it succeeds in its war against Ukraine.

Rutte told Euronews that Russia was seeking “to divide us and lose the focus” on supporting Ukraine.

“We will not,” he said, adding that continued support for Kyiv was the best response.

“That’s the message. Calm, carry on, keep the support for Ukraine going. That’s how we deal with it,” Rutte said.