BREAKING NEWS: NATO Ally Sends a Shocking Responds to Russia’s Baltic Sea Border Adjustment…
Lithuania, an EU and NATO member, has accused Russia of initiating a “hybrid operation” in the Baltic Sea following a Russian Defense Ministry document suggesting changes to maritime claims in the region.
The draft decree, dated May 21, indicates Russia’s intention to declare parts of the eastern Gulf of Finland and areas near Kaliningrad, including Baltiysk and Zelenogradsk, as internal waters. If enacted, the decree would take effect in January 2025 and alter Russia’s maritime borders.
These proposed changes could impact Lithuania and Finland’s maritime zones. A Lithuanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Newsweek that Russia’s actions are seen as an intentional and provocative effort to intimidate neighboring countries. The spokesperson emphasized that this move demonstrates Russia’s aggressive policies, posing a security threat to neighboring countries and Europe.
In response, Lithuania plans to summon a Russian representative for a full explanation and is coordinating its response with partners. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated on X (formerly Twitter) that Russia’s actions aim to spread fear and uncertainty in the Baltic Sea, which should be met with a firm response from NATO and the EU.
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen suggested on X that Russia might be trying to create confusion in the Baltic region, emphasizing that Finland remains calm and fact-based. Finnish President Alexander Stubb confirmed that Helsinki is analyzing the situation and that Russia has not contacted Finland regarding the matter.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly threatened Finland, Sweden, and the Baltic nations, accompanied by suspected hybrid operations like GPS interference and the manipulation of migrant flows across EU and NATO borders.
Zygimantas Pavilionis, a Lithuanian parliament member and former ambassador to the U.S., told Newsweek that the Baltic “provocation” requires a strong collective Western response. He stressed the importance of stopping Russia from violating international law and treaties to prevent further expansion and aggression.
Pavilionis was speaking from Washington, D.C., where he is advocating for a NATO accession invitation for Ukraine at the upcoming July summit. The 2023 Vilnius summit disappointed Ukrainian leaders by not providing a concrete accession plan.
Pavilionis warned that appeasing Russia now could embolden not only Russia but also other authoritarian regimes to challenge democracies worldwide.
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