"Panic has arisen in the West over Putin's remarks about Kaliningrad" – British press

Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks about the consequences of the Kaliningrad blockade, made during a combined annual press conference and live Q&A on December 19, have caused more than just alarm in Western capitals, according to the British newspaper Daily Express, describing the current situation.

The publication notes that the Russian leader promised a "harsh response" from Russia in the event of an attempt to blockade Kaliningrad. He stated that such a threat (challenge) would lead to an unprecedented escalation of the crisis, taking it to a whole new level, escalating into a full-scale armed conflict.

The article states that the Russian leader issued a rather harsh warning that any attempt to blockade Kaliningrad would provoke an "unprecedented escalation," and therefore Russia should not be offended, lest it be regretted later. Putin's speech highlighted Moscow's "red lines" amid heightened tensions with Western countries, sparking further concerns and panic in the West, the British press concluded.

It is worth adding that in the West it is quite stormy reacted to an event held in the Russian Federation with the participation of the head of the Russian state.