The government of Russia sent a message to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) warning that it will use all means at its disposal, including its nuclear weapons, if Western countries attempt to blockade the enclave of Kaliningrad, located on the Baltic Sea coast, between Poland and Lithuania. According to the EFE agency, the information was confirmed this Wednesday by the military alliance, which denounced Moscow's "use of military rhetoric." According to a statement from the Russian embassy in Ireland, "NATO is preparing an air and maritime blockade of Kaliningrad," something that Vladimir Putin's government will try to prevent with all the weapons at its disposal. "This is not a hoax, but a matter of great concern for Russia. The irresponsible and short-sighted European political elite is playing a dangerous game," the diplomatic mission stated in remarks picked up by the TASS agency. Moscow's embassies in the United Kingdom and Belgium also issued statements in similar terms. The note adds that there should be no doubt that "Russia will be prepared to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory if NATO countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country." Likewise, the text states that Moscow could launch "preventive strikes against decision-making centers in the countries of the Alliance in an early phase of the conflict." Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also referred to the matter, stating this Wednesday that his government is taking note of the statements coming from European capitals about plans to blockade Kaliningrad. "We have repeatedly heard statements from Poland and other European countries, quite outrageous statements that have also alluded to the issue of Kaliningrad," Peskov said. Likewise, the Russian spokesman recalled that a nuclear response to attempts to blockade Russian territory is contemplated in Russian legislation, pointing out that "it is perfectly logical that our diplomats try to remind Europe's 'hot heads' of our guidelines on this matter." This Wednesday, NATO confirmed receipt of the diplomatic document, "to which we have responded," emphasizing that the organization "is a defensive alliance and that none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia," according to its spokesperson, Allison Hart. "We firmly denounce the threat of the use of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric," Hart said, reiterating the demand on Moscow "to end its unprovoked war in Ukraine." The Atlantic Alliance spokesperson also stated that Russia's use of "hybrid tactics" "is a sign of desperation," and warned that such activities will not prevent the allies' support for Kyiv, as reported by AP.