On Thursday, Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas did not rule out provocations at the state border, as Russia is threatening to retaliate for Lithuania restricting the transit of some sanctioned goods to Kaliningrad.
“There can only be prerequisites for provocations that would greatly inflame the public, ie somebody violates the border, somebody does something,” Anušauskas told reporters. “In our country, such events cause a lot of anxiety, and people then say, ‘where is your air defence, where is your army?’”
According to the minister, Lithuania is watching “every move they [Russia] make”, while Lithuania’s security is guaranteed by its NATO membership.
Lithuania restricted the transit of some Russian goods to Kaliningrad after EU sanctions against Russia came into force last week.
Moscow insisted that Lithuania lift the transit ban, while the country maintains that it has not imposed any unilateral restrictions.
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