Russia\u2013NATO War Readiness Brews in Europe<\/p>\n
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Tensions between Russia and NATO have\nflared again after Lithuania\u2019s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys stated\nthat NATO has the capability to \u2018flatten\u2019 Russia\u2019s military\ninfrastructure in Kaliningrad. The Kremlin quickly condemned the remark,\ncalling it an almost \u2018mad\u2019 threat.<\/p>\n
Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave located between Poland and Lithuania\nin the Baltic region, is one of Russia\u2019s strategic military points in\nEurope, given its air defence and missile systems.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Swiss media Neue Z\u00fcrcher Zeitung, Budrys\ndescribed NATO as the \u2018strongest organisation ever created.\u2019 He also\nurged a tougher approach toward Moscow.<\/p>\n
\u2018We must show Russia that we can breach the small fortress they have\nbuilt in Kaliningrad,\u2019 Budrys was quoted as saying from RT, Thursday (21\nMay 2026). \u2018NATO has the capability to flatten Russia\u2019s air defence and\nmissile bases there if necessary.\u2019<\/p>\n
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov immediately condemned the remarks.\nHe said Budrys\u2019s statements were not worthy of serious analysis because\nthey reflect a maniacal hostility toward Russia.<\/p>\n
Peskov said Lithuania\u2019s leaders today are filled with an excessive\nanti-Russian sentiment. According to him, that attitude makes Baltic\npolitical elites lose the ability to think strategically and\nrationally.<\/p>\n
\u2018This anti-Russian sentiment makes them blind, prevents them from\nthinking about the future and acting in the interests of their nation,\u2019\nPeskov said, noting that a similar situation exists among the political\nelites in the three Baltic states.<\/p>\n
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also responded to the threat.\nLavrov mocked Western officials for using aggressive rhetoric merely to\ndemonstrate their political existence.<\/p>\n
\u2018Unlike the philosopher Ren\u00e9 Descartes who said \u2019I think, therefore I\nam,\u2019 these people merely \u2018exist\u2019,\u2019 Lavrov joked.<\/p>\n
Lithuania\u2019s statements come amid a debate in the European Union about\nthe possibility of reopening diplomatic channels with Russia regarding\nthe Ukraine war. Moscow says the decision now rests with Brussels, as\nthe EU previously halted diplomatic contacts over the conflict.<\/p>\n
However, several Baltic states continue to advocate a hardline stance\ntoward Russia. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna even called on\nWestern countries to increase pressure on Moscow, saying it is \u2018not a\ntime for talking or negotiating.\u2019<\/p>\n
Hardline attitudes toward Russia remain dominant among EU leadership,\nincluding the EU\u2019s foreign policy chief\u2019s office, Kaja Kallas. The\nformer Estonian prime minister had previously faced controversy after a\nbusiness scandal involving her husband, who was said to have ties with\nRussia.<\/p>\n
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