Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to the West following an unexpected visit to Europe.
During a surprise visit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, the President has raised fears of war with Nato by threatening the EU nations bordering the region.
It comes as there in concern that the enclave, which is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, it could become the critical point for a future conflict.
Putin warned that countries bordering the Baltic Sea territory are not prepared for "what will follow".
The Russian president made a surprise trip to Kaliningrad
Reuters
The 71-year-old told students at Kant Baltic Federal University: "This is stunning ignorance and lack of understanding of where they live, what they are doing and what will follow."
It comes as many of the former Soviet sites have decided to demolish war memorials in their countries.
Meanwhile, the UK Government has revealed it thinks there is a one-in-four chance that Russia will attack one of Britain's allies in the next two years, something that could spark a wider conflict between Moscow's armies and Nato.
Experts at the Cabinet Office have warned that if any escalation that involves attacking British allies was to happen "to contain and deter further aggression military, diplomatic and economic capabilities will be needed."
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Putin met with Governor of the Kaliningrad region Anton Alikhanov
Reuters
Sweden is set to be admitted into Nato, which would leave the Baltic Sea surrounded by Nato countries. The sea is crucial to Putin as it is Russia's maritime point of access to the city of St. Petersburg and the Kaliningrad enclave.
Tass news agency cited Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying Putin's visit to Kaliningrad was not intended to send a message to the Nato military alliance.
Lithuania's foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said his country was "convinced that a real war [with Russia] is a likely possibility."
Rishi Sunak was forced to rule out conscription on Wednesday after the head of the Army warned that civilians would have to sign up to fight Russia if there was a war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his meeting with students of the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
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Analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank Camille Grand, said Putin was sending several messages, including reminding people in Kaliningrad that "you’re Russia".
He added: "This is in my view a clear attempt to signal that the Baltic Sea is no Nato sea after Finland and Sweden applied to join Nato.
"[It is] a way to remind the West that Russia has military assets in Kaliningrad."
