German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Europe is preparing for severe Russian hybrid attacks after Vladimir Putin warned the conflict with the west could reach a fatal point of no return. Putin also said Russia could use any weapon at its disposal if Kaliningrad or other Russian territory faces direct attack, as Moscow and NATO trade accusations over nuclear rhetoric.
Merz said on Thursday that Moscow's escalation reflects Russia's desperation over its unsuccessful war in Ukraine. Speaking at an event marking the award of the Westphalian Peace Prize to NATO, Merz, according to the Financial Times, said: "We are preparing for further hybrid attacks, including severe ones." He added that Europe would respond quickly and very clearly should such attacks occur.
Putin raises the stakes on Kaliningrad
At the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow the same day, Putin said Russia's foreign ministry had sent warnings to several countries and that Moscow would weigh using every weapon available if Russian territory, including the Kaliningrad exclave, came under direct attack. He argued that escalating retaliatory measures risk reaching a fatal point of no return, and said France and the UK also hold nuclear arsenals but that Russia alone carries what he called a competitive advantage in strike capability.
In a letter sent this week to NATO, Moscow said it could use nuclear weapons against NATO countries over what it called the alliance's plans to hinder access to Kaliningrad. Two officials familiar with the letter said it accused NATO of taking a dangerous and reckless course and warned of high risks of direct armed conflict. NATO responded by accusing Moscow of irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and said the alliance poses no threat to Russia.
Hybrid campaign already under way, allies say
The German government has blamed Moscow for an explosives-laden drone attack in August at Leipzig airport, a hub for military aid shipments to Ukraine. Belgium's defence minister Theo Francken warned on Wednesday of a dark winter ahead because of Russia's continuing hybrid campaign against Europe. Danish intelligence has separately said Moscow could launch a limited military attack against a NATO country in the coming months.
Putin said the warning to NATO over Kaliningrad was not intimidation but a response to what he called attempts to intimidate Russia. Moscow has accused NATO of preparing to blockade Kaliningrad, pointing to the alliance's military exercises in the region and its Baltic Sentry mission protecting undersea infrastructure.
Source: Financial Times
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