European Commission comments on Russia's nuclear threats

The European Commission has condemned Russia's nuclear threats against NATO member states and said the EU will not contribute to the spread of fear and intimidation Moscow is seeking to create.

The European Commission described Moscow's nuclear rhetoric as "irresponsible".

"When it comes to this communication delivered to NATO, let me refer you to NATO's clear reaction, which we welcome and we of course condemn Russia's irresponsible nuclear rhetoric," European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said in response to a question about Russia's letter to NATO threatening the use of nuclear weapons.

He said the EU does not intend to contribute to the spread of Russian threats.

"The EU will not fall for the Russian trap and we will not amplify Moscow's tactics of intimidation and scaremongering," the spokesperson noted.

Wigand added that the EU is working closely with NATO to counter Russian threats, but declined to disclose details of communication between the EU and the Alliance on the matter.

Meanwhile, the European Commission clarified that it had not received such a letter directly from Russia.

"There has been no letter to the Commission," European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho said.

Russia was previously reported to have sent NATO a non-paper warning that it can use its entire available arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if the Alliance attempts to isolate Kaliningrad Oblast.

NATO responded by stressing the defensive nature of the Alliance and calling on Russia to end its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed, in particular, that Vladimir Putin knows he will never be able to defeat NATO.

Lithuania described Russia's new threats concerning Kaliningrad Oblast as psychological pressure.