Lithuanian Defense Minister Warns Putin May Target Baltics and Poland Next - Novinite. com - EUROPE SAYS
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas has warned that Russia could seek a new confrontation involving the Baltic states or Poland as the Kremlin struggles to achieve its objectives in Ukraine. Speaking. . .
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas has warned that Russia could seek a new confrontation involving the Baltic states or Poland as the Kremlin struggles to achieve its objectives in Ukraine. Speaking to Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT, Kaunas argued that Moscow has failed to secure the victory it expected after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, the conflict has increasingly exposed Russia to internal pressure, with explosions occurring on Russian territory and fuel shortages affecting the country. Kaunas said these developments are leading more Russians to question the Kremlin’s leadership and the promises made by President Vladimir Putin. “People are asking why this is happening and where the promised victory is,” he said. The Lithuanian defense minister argued that the Kremlin now needs another success to strengthen its position domestically and could attempt to create a new crisis elsewhere. “Putin needs a new escalation, some kind of new victory, and in this situation the closest targets are the Baltic region and Poland,” Kaunas said. His remarks followed comments by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, who recently confirmed reports that Russia could organize provocations against Poland or the Baltic states to test NATO’s unity and response. According to Nausėda, the assessment is based on intelligence information indicating that Moscow could target critical infrastructure in the region. He said such actions could involve either conventional military attacks or hybrid operations designed to create instability without triggering a full-scale conflict. Concerns over possible Russian provocations have also been echoed elsewhere in the region. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski previously warned that Moscow could attempt a false-flag operation using Ukrainian-made drones. At the same time, Lithuania’s Chief of Defense, General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, said there is currently no clear indication that Russia is preparing a conventional military attack against Lithuania or the other Baltic states. However, he cautioned that limited provocations involving military assets cannot be ruled out, even if there is no immediate evidence of preparations for a broader invasion. Previous media reports have also claimed that the United States warned Polish authorities that Russia could be considering an armed provocation against Poland as a way to “test NATO’s resolve,” further fueling concerns about security along the alliance’s eastern flank. Tags:Lietuvalithuanianaujienos