Mark Rutte says that NATO is not facing an imminent threat, while Russia warns the Alliance regarding Kaliningrad

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday that there is no imminent threat to the territory of the North Atlantic Alliance, despite warnings issued by Russia regarding the Kaliningrad exclave. NATO’s assessment of the Russian threat has not changed compared with three weeks, three months or one year ago, Rutte said.

The official said that any intention by Moscow to attack Finland, the Baltic states, Poland or any other NATO country would be accompanied by a military buildup. He stressed that NATO is a defensive alliance and called on Russia to abandon its nuclear threats. Rutte added that the United States will remain involved in Europe’s conventional and nuclear defense.

The statements were made after the Kremlin confirmed that Russia had sent NATO nuclear warnings. Moscow claims that any attempt to isolate Kaliningrad, Russian territory located between Poland and Lithuania, could trigger a severe military response.

According to a document seen by Reuters, Russia would declare itself ready to use nuclear weapons if access to the enclave were blocked. NATO confirmed receiving an informal document but did not disclose its contents.