Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas has warned that Russia could seek a new confrontation involving the Baltic states or Poland as the Kremlin struggles to achieve its objectives in Ukraine.
Speaking to Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT, Kaunas argued that Moscow has failed to secure the victory it expected after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, the conflict has increasingly exposed Russia to internal pressure, with explosions occurring on Russian territory and fuel shortages affecting the country.
Kaunas said these developments are leading more Russians to question the Kremlin’s leadership and the promises made by President Vladimir Putin. “People are asking why this is happening and where the promised victory is,” he said.
The Lithuanian defense minister argued that the Kremlin now needs another success to strengthen its position domestically and could attempt to create a new crisis elsewhere.
“Putin needs a new escalation, some kind of new victory, and in this situation the closest targets are the Baltic region and Poland,” Kaunas said.
