Giuseppe Cavo Dragone denies NATO is preparing a Kaliningrad blockade

NATO Military Committee Chairman Giuseppe Cavo Dragone told La Repubblica that the alliance was not preparing a blockade of Kaliningrad.

The admiral described the scenario under discussion as nonexistent. His remarks, reported on October 10 by NTV and other outlets citing the interview, directly rejected speculation about such an operation. The reports did not announce a blockade or an alliance decision to impose one.

Accounts of the interview also quoted Cavo Dragone as saying NATO did not seek a direct confrontation. He nevertheless pointed to the alliance's capabilities for deterrence and a response in the event of conflict.

Politico previously reported efforts by NATO to reduce tensions before its nuclear exercises, linking them to an earlier sharp exchange with Moscow over Kaliningrad. That assessment describes the diplomatic background, rather than establishing the existence of a blockade plan.