• About Us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
TFI Official Merchandise
TFI English
TFI हिन्दी
Monday, March 20, 2023
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result

Kaliningrad tensions could script the end game for Lithuania

Rohit Yadav by Rohit Yadav
June 21, 2022
in Geopolitics, Global Issues, Russia
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Kaliningrad
1.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Russia has issued the coldest of warnings to Lithuania. Kremlin spokesperson said, “The situation is more than serious. This decision is really unprecedented. It’s a violation of everything.”

The grave concern shown by Kremlin is the first of its type. But why has Russia given such stern warning to the Baltic state? And what can Moscow do to make Vilnius fall in line?

Also Read

Remove restrictions and pay up”, Orban’s warning to EU elites

Russia’s MIR Payment system turns US’ CATSA threats into a pathetic joke

Kaliningrad and its strategic importance

Kaliningrad Oblast is the westernmost federal subject of Moscow and is close to the heart of Europe. It is separated from the rest of the Russian federation by several countries. It is the only port on Baltic Sea that works throughout the year unlike other ports in Baltics.

Kaliningrad (Source: Euronews)

Kaliningrad was handed over to Moscow according to Potsdam Agreement after it defeated Nazi Germany in WWII. It got separated from Russia after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia all got separated from the mammoth country.

Even though Kaliningrad sits aloof of Moscow, it can prove to be a strategic asset like no other in case of war or grey area in Europe for Russia. It’s home to considerable Russian troops, Russian Navy’s Baltic fleet, two air-bases of air force, cutting-edge air defences and lethal Iskander-M missiles.

Lithuania’s provocation

The region’s importance for Moscow has been highlighted by several analysts after the Russia-Ukraine war. Lithuania has made a decision that has angered Moscow like never before. The small Baltic state has banned the transit through their territory of goods to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.

It consists of coal, metals, building materials, and sophisticated technology, and it accounts for over half of all Kaliningrad imports.

Lithuania’s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, said his country was simply enforcing EU sanctions. He said the Saturday measures were put in place after “consultation with the European Commission and in accordance with its guidelines.”

Kaliningrad response

Trains carrying cargo to Kaliningrad pass through Belarus and Lithuania. Poland has not been a transit country. Russia can continue to feed the Lithuanian exclave by sea while avoiding EU sanctions.

Its governor Anton Alikhanov advised locals not to panic purchase and told them that two ships were already ferrying cargo between Kaliningrad and Saint Petersburg, with seven more anticipated to be in operation by the end of the year.

“All of the goods will be handled by our ferries,” the governor stated.

Russia’s furious reaction

With 430,000 people residing in the exclave, it has received a strong reaction from Moscow.

Russian foreign ministry has threatened Lithuania to take a U-turn on its decision on transit ban or it will consider it as ‘openly hostile’ move.

“If cargo transit between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the Russian Federation via Lithuania is not fully restored in the near future, then Russia reserves the right to take actions to protect its national interests,” it said.

What is to be noted is the warning is along similar lines to Ukraine before it started vowing to join NATO. And, we know how Russia has protected its national interests.

Also Read: Putin just invoked ‘Peter the Great’, and it means Ukraine is just the start

What will Russia do?

As the transit of goods passes through Belarus and then Lithuania, and Belarus being a good friend of Moscow, Russia can wage a war to protect its ‘national interest’.

SUWALKI Gap

‘Suwalki Gap’ which is considered an ‘Achilles Heel’ of NATO can be in the eyes of Russian military commanders. The strip of land is barely 40 miles and doesn’t offer much in natural boundaries like mountains and rivers. It can become an easy logistical supply route for Russia.

Read more: NATO is dead, and no one knows it better than its founding member

And as Poland and Lithuania both are part of NATO, it’ll trigger Article 5 of NATO alliance, which says that NATO countries will consider an attack on one an attack against all. Former US President Donald Trump has already warned of World War 3 because of the reckless and provocative attitude of NATO and Europe in the Ukraine war.

Analysts have continuously asked NATO to prepare to protect its ‘Achilles Heel’ since the beginning of war. But a recent report by Reuters shows the negligent attitude by US towards Baltic states where they have been denied of additional troops in the area. Also, US Permanent representative recently asking for another military alliance with Baltic states is nothing more than many promises it made it Ukraine before the war.

With US and NATO being indifferent to Baltic States’ concerns and regularly provoking Russia, it could script the end game not just for Lithuania but for other Baltic states too.

 

Tags: Baltic StatesNATORussian militarySuwalki GapUkraine
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Collection of 36 I am here for you quotes and captions

Next Post

Xi does a ridiculous U-turn to keep fellow dictator Kim-Jong-un in good humour

Also Read

Remove restrictions and pay up”, Orban’s warning to EU elites

Remove restrictions and pay up”, Orban’s warning to EU elites

March 20, 2023
South America in Flames: Guyana and Suriname Fiery Border Dispute

South America in Flames: Guyana and Suriname Fiery Border Dispute

March 20, 2023
MIR Payment system

Russia’s MIR Payment system turns US’ CATSA threats into a pathetic joke

March 20, 2023
interim president of TPLF

Getachew Read-y to Lead Tigray: TPLF’s Nominee for Interim President

March 20, 2023
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
The mysterious death of Shermans has Justin Trudeau written all over it

The mysterious death of Shermans has Justin Trudeau written all over it

March 14, 2023
Africa kicks dollar to the curb

Africa kicks dollar to the curb

March 14, 2023
Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation?

Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation?

May 9, 2022
Was Justin Trudeau’s younger brother, Michel Trudeau killed?

Was Justin Trudeau’s younger brother, Michel Trudeau killed?

March 12, 2023
Ukraine is building wind turbines for Russia

Ukraine is building wind turbines for Russia

March 12, 2023
Remove restrictions and pay up”, Orban’s warning to EU elites

Remove restrictions and pay up”, Orban’s warning to EU elites

March 20, 2023
Guns United states

Guns are trafficked from the USA into Latin America, but not anymore!

March 20, 2023
South America in Flames: Guyana and Suriname Fiery Border Dispute

South America in Flames: Guyana and Suriname Fiery Border Dispute

March 20, 2023
China hawk policy

Baerbock emerges victorious in her fight against Olaf Scholz

March 20, 2023
Allies: Canada betrays Europe

Allies: Canada betrays Europe

March 20, 2023
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobal
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Follow us on Twitter

and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team

Follow @tfiglobal
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.