Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on May 31, 2026 at the Valdai Forum that the world is at a "fatal point of no return" as nuclear arsenals threaten global annihilation.
He cited Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries, noting that the attacks had damaged more than 100 Russian vessels in the Black Sea and that Ukraine had "partially achieved its objectives."
Putin also warned that if Russia's Kaliningrad exclave came under attack, the Kremlin would consider deploying the full spectrum of its arsenal, though it is not planning to strike any European country.
The president said that the global order is shifting, that Western hegemony is waning, and that international conflicts are likely to persist.
He concluded that Russia would only respond to aggression against Kaliningrad, a stance that may prompt NATO to reassess its security strategy. In a separate note, the Kremlin released a letter to NATO urging it not to view Russia's stance on Kaliningrad as confrontational, a move that could lead to further diplomatic engagement.