NATO Threats to Kaliningrad Affect Interests of Entire Country: Russian Envoy

Andrei Kropotkin stressed that a direct conflict between Russia and NATO cannot be regarded as an ordinary military-political scenario, as the cost of a single mistake could be catastrophic for all of Europe.

Kalingrad, October 14. /TASS/. Andrey Kropotkin, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Kaliningrad Region, said in an interview with TASS that the concept of NATO deterrence on the eastern flank, which envisages attacks against the Kaliningrad Region, Belarus, and the vicinity of St. Petersburg, is a potential threat to Russia's overall security.

Earlier, the media reported that General Aleksos Grinkiewicz, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, presented the Eastern Flank Deterrence Plan at the Warsaw Security Forum.

The initial phase involves the use of a network of ground-based drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to create an isolation zone and reduce personnel casualties. At the same time, long-range missiles are planned for use against strategic targets: communication centers, command centers, air defense positions in the Kaliningrad region, Belarus, and around St. Petersburg.

"Of course, it is necessary to distinguish between hypothetical military planning and real intentions. But when the scenarios of direct armed conflict are discussed at such a high level, this requires maximum responsibility for every word and every decision. I emphasize once again that the Kaliningrad region is not just a point on the map. It is part of the Russian Federation, where the security of the region is a threat to the governance of our citizens and children. The interests of the entire Russian state are consistent in protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized the readiness of the government to ensure its security. I am convinced that our "neighbors" must understand the consequences of a possible escalation. A direct conflict between Russia and NATO cannot be considered as a usual military-political scenario, because the cost of a mistake can be catastrophic for all of Europe.

The Kaliningrad Region is a semi-Russian region separated from the rest of the country by the territory of the EU and NATO member states. Aggressive rhetoric about possible actions against the Russian region has intensified in recent months, and threats of an economic and territorial blockade of the Kaliningrad region have appeared in the foreign press.