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- All-Out War Could Break Out As Russia Threatens Lithuania Over Kaliningrad Cutoff
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Following the ban of transit of some EU-sanctioned goods coming from Russia to its exclave Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea by Lithuania, relations between Moscow and the Western military alliance are under further pressure following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
A tiny part of Europe between Lithuania and Poland was captured by the Red Army and became part of the Soviet Union after World War II ended.
The territory bordering the Baltic Sea was formerly Koenigsberg but is today known as Kaliningrad. It remained part of the Russian Federation when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Two decades on, it is at the centre of a war of words that could see Russia’s war in Ukraine extended and a host of other nations dragged in.
Lithuania earned the ire of Vladimir Putin last week when it carried out what Moscow describes as a “hostile act” by blocking the transit of EU-sanctioned goods from mainland Russia to the exclave of Kaliningrad.
Moscow’s response has been threatening. Russia’s security council chief Nikolai Patrushev on Tuesday warned of “serious” consequences for Lithuania if the ban on rail transit isn’t lifted.
“Russia will certainly respond to such hostile actions,” Patrushev said at a regional security meeting in Kaliningrad, adding that “appropriate measures” are in the works and they “will be taken in the near future”.
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“Their consequences will have a serious negative impact on the population of Lithuania,” he said.
The hint that Russia could attack Lithuania with military action could have consequences for more than just the three million people who call the Baltic state home.
The city center of Kaliningrad, which was claimed by Russia after WWII and is home to a significant military presence. Picture: Patrick Hertzog/AFP
Lithuania’s status as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) means that an attack on it is an attack on every other NATO country.
Compounding the threat is the fact that Kaliningrad is heavily militarised. The region is the base for Russia’s Baltic Fleet and Moscow says it has deployed nuclear-capable Iskander missiles there.
On Tuesday, Russia’s foreign ministry summoned the EU ambassador to Moscow, Markus Ederer, over the “anti-Russian restrictions” on cargo transit between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia.
“The inadmissibility of such actions, which violate the relevant legal and political obligations of the European Union and lead to an escalation of tensions, was pointed out,” the ministry said in a statement.
Speaking after the meeting, Ederer said he called on the Russian side to “remain calm” and “resolve this issue diplomatically”.
But Lithuania says it is simply adhering to EU-wide sanctions on Moscow.
“It’s ironic to hear rhetoric about alleged violations of international treaties from a country which has violated possibly every single international treaty,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said.
“There is no Kaliningrad blockade,” Ms Simonyte added.
A Russian soldier stands on the launcher of a tactical missile during training near Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea. Picture: AFP
The United States said Tuesday it stood firmly behind Lithuania and NATO commitments to defend it after Russia issued its veiled threats.
“We stand by our NATO allies and we stand by Lithuania,” State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
“Specifically our commitment to NATO’s Article Five — the premise that an attack on one would constitute an attack on all — that commitment on the part of the United States is ironclad,” he said.
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Lithuania, a former Soviet republic both in NATO and the European Union, has been among the most outspoken nations in opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Price said that the United States welcomed the “unprecedented economic measures” taken by Lithuania and other nations against Russia over its invasion.
Asked about Russia’s statements, Price said, “We aren’t going to speculate on Russian saber-rattling or Russian bluster and don’t even want to give it additional airtime.”
By Rabiu Tajudeen - 2022-06-23 11:15:42
