Russia Issues Nuclear Warning to NATO; EU Commissioner Cites Article 5

EU Defence and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated on October 1 that a Russian strike on a European arms factory should trigger Article 5 of the NATO collective defense treaty.

Kubilius made these remarks on the margins of a European Parliament's Defence and Security Committee meeting. An aide confirmed his comments referred specifically to an aerial bombardment or missile attack on a factory. This statement follows Russia's warning to NATO regarding Kaliningrad. Russia sent a document to NATO stating its readiness to use its entire available arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if the alliance attempts to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast.

The Kremlin defended this warning, saying it aimed to secure the Baltic exclave rather than provoke confrontation. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated the warning aimed to bring back down to earth NATO dignitaries demonstrating "Russophobia." Sergei Karaganov, a former adviser to Vladimir Putin, also warned that Russia would use nuclear weapons if NATO sends troops to Ukraine or touches Kaliningrad.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded by emphasizing the alliance's defensive nature and calling on Russia to stop its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. He stated there is no imminent threat to NATO territory but the alliance is prepared for Russian aggression. Rutte also noted that the current NATO model is not sustainable due to European overdependence on the United States for defense.

The European Commission condemned Russia's nuclear threats as irresponsible and an intimidation tactic, stating the EU would not fall for the Russian trap. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda described Russia's remarks as reckless but advised meeting them calmly. Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis played down immediate danger from nuclear threats, focusing instead on Russia's hybrid attacks.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius stated there is no real proof from intelligence services that Russia is preparing an attack on NATO territory. The Estonian Internal Security Service attributed an arson attack on Milrem Robotics in Tallinn on August 14-15 to Russian intelligence services.