MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Russia would be forced to use all available weapons in the event of a blockade of the Gulf of Finland, head of the Center for the Study of Military and Political Conflicts Andrey Klintsevich told TASS.

"They are counting on NATO being able to rapidly deploy its first echelon of forces there, let’s say, to close the border. But I think these are just words for now, because Russia would react very aggressively to such a blockade. And we would be prepared to use all available weapons, including tactical nuclear weapons, as we have recently warned," the expert said.

He noted that Baltic politicians do not fully understand the potential consequences of such statements. "Baltic politicians do not fully grasp these risks when making such statements. Even the Americans, with their entirely different level of military capabilities and strategic nuclear forces, do not allow themselves to make such statements," he explained.

Earlier, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told The Times that NATO could deploy a force of 50,000 experienced troops within hours and close off the Baltic Sea.