Russia Condemns Lithuania on Kaliningrad Military Comments

Russia has sharply condemned recent remarks by Lithuania’s foreign minister regarding the military vulnerability of the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, escalating diplomatic tensions in the Baltic region. The Kremlin described the comments as reckless and verging on insanity.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys made the statements in an interview with a Swiss newspaper, advocating for a robust NATO deterrent. He said the alliance must demonstrate to Russia that it is capable of penetrating what he called the small fortress built in Kaliningrad, adding that NATO has the capability to raze Russian air defense and missile bases there to the ground if necessary.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by criticizing what he called shortsighted and maniacally anti-Russian politicians in the Baltic states. He said such sentiment blinds them and prevents them from acting in their own national interests. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova characterized the minister’s remarks as a direct call to attack a sovereign country that undermines European stability.

Kaliningrad is a heavily militarized Russian territory situated between NATO members Lithuania and Poland...