The recent move by Lithuania to enforce European Union sanctions on rail shipments from Russia to its Baltic coast seaport Kaliningrad brought the expected threats from the Kremlin that it would take "appropriate" action soon, as we noted yesterday. Kaliningrad is cut off geographically from Russia by Lithuania and Russian ally Belarus, and the bulk of supplies from Russia flows by rail through those countries. As a consequence of Putin's aggressive war on Ukraine, the EU imposed sanctions on Russian goods, including technology, metals and coal, goods which travel by rail across Lithuania, an EU member. Officials in Kaliningrad estimate the sanctions effect about 50% of rail shipments across Lithuania.
The Russian Baltic Fleet is headquartered in Kaliningrad, so its strategic importance to Russian thug and war criminal Putin is significant:
"On Monday, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, noted that 'the situation is really very serious and requires a very deep analysis before preparing any measures or any decisions. This thorough analysis will be carried out over the next few days.'
Today, one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies, Nikolai Patrushev, flew to the Kaliningrad region to discuss 'national security in north-west Russia'. Mr Patrushev is secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council."
As a member of NATO, Lithuania is entitled to unified support from all NATO nations, including the U.S., UK, France, and Germany, should Russia launch a military action against it. Of course Russia could ship those items which are under sanction by sea to Kaliningrad, or better still, stop its war of imperial territorial ambition in Ukraine. Putin will undoubtedly choose the path of aggression, and NATO needs to be prepared.
(illustration: BBC News)
1 comment:
Well, what did Putin expect? This is not a pillow fight. War and sanctions are serious business. As a member of NATO, Lithuania is obligated to play its part in enforcement. And certainly the big powers are obligated to make it clear that they will defend Lithuania against Russian bullying.
Putin's threats repeatedly backfire -- most recently by provoking Finland and Sweden to try to join NATO -- yet he keeps making them. He doesn't seem to know how to do anything else.
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