Little Lithuania oppresses Greater Russia: Since Saturday, Russian trains bound for the Kaliningrad region of Russia via Lithuanian territory have been banned from carrying certain goods. Moscow is angry and threatens retaliation.
What are these revenge? Will war break out in the Baltics? Will NATO protect the small country? Flick clarifies the most pressing questions.
What is Kaliningrad?
Kaliningrad Oblast is a Russian enclave between the European Union and NATO countries Poland and Lithuania and the Baltic Sea. According to the Kremlin, the “mini-Russia” in the middle of Europe is one of the most important sites of all. The Moscow Baltic Fleet is stationed here. There are also fighter jets, precautionary systems and nuclear-capable Iskander-M missiles.
Kaliningrad is one-third of Switzerland and has a population of less than one million. In terms of goods, there is an agreement with Lithuania that people and goods can be transported from Belarus to Russia by train called the Svalbard Interval. The straight line from Belarus to Kaliningrad is 66 km, the border is 100 km.
What products does Lithuania block?
Blocked materials include cement, coal, construction materials and metals. According to Kaliningrad Governor Anton Alikanov (35), 40 to 50 percent of traffic between the Russian heartland and the enclave is affected.
Speaking about the “siege” of Russia, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonit (47) says: “There is no siege in Kaliningrad.
In the case of Russia, the word “siege” evokes painful memories of World War II, when the German Vermaev Leningrad now annexed St. Petersburg. By that time, more than a million people had died.
What are the consequences of the measures?
Russia now has to bring the banned goods by sea from St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad – it is very complicated and very expensive. The Governor of Kaliningrad is relaxed: they have their own electricity and their own food. Even tourists are enough.
Is it possible to ban the corridor for the people?
Lithuania will only implement sanctions from its affiliates, namely the European Union and NATO. Military expert Mauro Mandovani (58): “The country will not go beyond that and exemptions will be granted.”
What threatens Moscow?
Nikolai Badrushev, 70, chairman of the Russian Security Council, said Moscow would respond to such “hostile actions” with counter-measures. “The consequences will have a severe negative impact on the people of Lithuania.” In the event of a full blockade, various politicians are calling for the use of “defensive” and nuclear weapons.
What will be Russia’s “counter-measures”?
According to President Gitanas Nauseda (58), Lithuania is ready for Russian retaliation. This includes excluding Lithuania from the joint power phase with Russia. Mauro Montovani is also considering additional restrictions on exports, sanctions and cyber-attacks on vital infrastructure.
War in the Baltics?
Duma deputy Oleg Morozov (68) proposes to militarily clean up the land route. There is also speculation in Moscow that the Russian Air Force may be hijacking Lithuanian airspace and delivering Kaliningrad cargo planes.
But Mauro Mondowani did not anticipate a military attack. “The Russians know about the NATO aid article. In addition, another theater has no ground floor yet. “
How will NATO react if an attack occurs?
For the past few weeks, NATO has been carrying weapons in the Baltic countries. “NATO will definitely stand with Lithuania,” Mandovani said. The Russians were well aware of the consequences of any intervention.
“Wannabe pop culture fanatic. Zombie advocate. Entrepreneur. Internet evangelist. Alcohol fanatic. Typical travel buff.”
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