Lithuania assesses threat of Russian invasion of the Baltics
Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuanian Foreign Minister (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, commented on the risk of a Russian invasion of the Baltics. He highlighted several aspects and reminded that Russia has always been a threat to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
"Russia has been a direct military threat for years to the Baltic countries. And it's not all about the level of threat, it's about the level of our resilience and level of our capabilities to deter, meaning to defend ourselves. So it is interrelated when we assess the risk, not only the threat," he said.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs explained, the threat consists of capabilities and intentions.
"And I have no doubts about Russia's intents. They are still there. They want to subjugate the neighboring countries. And it will remain while Putin is in power. And there is the question of capabilities. So now they are within the Ukraine and next to Ukraine. Of course, they will be redeployed to the bases where they came from," the minister noted.
On the other hand, according to Kęstutis, when it comes to capabilities, in the future, they will be increased in the direction of the Baltics.
"But it's in Russia's planning that we're interconnected, and it's in our defense planning also we see us interconnected. So it won't be like one is the target, and another is left aside. So we will be the one long front line and we have to plan for it, that we will be one long front line that we have to defend ourselves," he explained.
What the Financial Times wrote
Recently, the Financial Times published an article in which it interviewed the defense ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
According to the relevant comments in the article, a ceasefire in Ukraine would sharply increase the security threat for the Baltic states. Journalists emphasize that Russia will not stop rearming and redeploying troops to NATO’s northeastern flank.
It is worth noting that as early as January, RBC-Ukraine reported that the West was actively discussing the threat posed by Russia against a NATO member. At that time, media outlets were already publishing scenarios and infographics, while officials urged preparations for a possible war.
For more details on this, Russia’s and NATO’s military capabilities, and how the conflict might develop, read the RBC-Ukraine's report.
