...we saw the little visit to Cuba recently by a russ fleet ....US never bated an eye lid
times have changed ....strategic bombers always in the air and nuclear armed subs roaming with whereabouts unknown - both sides ....make proximity much less of an issue but for either side to use nukes would be M.A.D. ...AND TO THREATEN TO DO SO ...as putin does is irresponsible and a sign that he can't win a conventional war against a smaller nation
but if you have a look at where Kaliningrad is on the map and the proximity to all the great cities of western europe you'll see russia already has the advantage of proximity .