Russia accuses NATO of imposing a blockade on the Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania and Poland, during the exercises in the Baltic Sea, reducing dialogue options.

Russia has accused NATO of conducting military exercises that involve scenarios for blocking the Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania and Poland. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Gruzko stated that the Baltic region is militarized and filled with Alliance forces, which reduces dialogue options with NATO. Gruzko emphasized that Russia will defend its interests in the area by all legal means. Additionally, Russian presidential advisor Nikolai Patrushev accused NATO of aggressive intentions, promising a firm response to any attack on Kaliningrad, where nearly one million people live.