Days after Russia warned NATO of a possible nuclear response if Kaliningrad is cut off, a prominent Russian foreign policy strategist Sergei Karaganov has issued another dire warning. Sergei Karaganov has said that Moscow will 'go nuclear' and leave 'little left' of some European countries if they continue backing Ukraine, according to a report in The Daily Mail. He warned that Russia would initially use conventional weapons, but would resort to nuclear attacks if Europe refused to surrender.
"If they continue this war, a European war with American help, against Russia, on Ukrainian territory, sooner or later we'll feel the need to escalate," Karaganov told the BBC. His threats come at a time when Moscow has demanded that European countries should cut the military and financial support helping Kyiv resist Russia's full-scale invasion.
"According to my scenarios, the first series of blows will be conventional. But if Europe does not surrender, unfortunately, we will have to go nuclear. There will be little left of some European countries." "No, there will be no response from Europe,' he said. 'What, Britain will attack Russia with nuclear weapons? I hope you're not that crazy. I'm sure the Americans are not that crazy."
Karaganov acknowledged that Russia had lost many people during the war, but criticised his government for failing to act harshly enough. He said Moscow was now stepping up its attacks and destroying Ukraine's ability to function as a viable state.
Russia warns NATO of attack
The comments of Sergei Karaganov came after Russia on Wednesday warned Nato it was prepared to resort to nuclear weapons if the Western alliance attempted to cut off Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea. Moscow accused the alliance of a 'dangerous and reckless course' that entailed 'high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict', Reuters reported after viewing the document sent to NATO.
'Russia will be ready to use the entire arsenal of forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, in order to defend its territory should NATO countries undertake any attempt aimed at isolating the Kaliningrad Region from the rest of the country,' the diplomatic note said.
