Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has dismissed recent comments by Lithuania’s Foreign Minister regarding NATO’s military capabilities and regional security, labeling the rhetoric as bordering on insanity and devoid of strategic foresight.
Tensions over regional security
During an interview with the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis discussed his country’s security in the face of Russian threats. He argued that fear could be transformed into a sense of strength, asserting that the Russian narrative claiming they could seize the Baltic states in two days has been debunked.
Landsbergis further addressed the status of the Kaliningrad exclave. He stated that NATO possesses the means to neutralize Russian air defense and missile bases in the region if a crisis were to occur.
Kremlin’s dismissal of Baltic rhetoric
In response to these remarks, Dmitry Peskov dismissed the statements as not to be taken seriously. He characterized the Lithuanian official’s comments as being on the verge of madness, claiming such statements demonstrate the extreme nature of Baltic politicians.
Peskov added that the Baltic states are pathologically anti-Russian. He argued that this anti-Russian sentiment blinds them, preventing them from acting in their own best interests or considering the future.
Recent drone incidents in the Baltic region
The exchange comes amid a series of airspace violations in the Baltic states. In recent months, long-range Ukrainian drone strikes against Russia have frequently breached the airspace of NATO members, including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Between May 17 and May 21, multiple incidents were recorded, including the discovery of a drone wreckage containing explosives in Lithuania, as well as multiple unauthorized drone incursions reported by Estonian and Latvian armed forces, some of which triggered NATO air policing interceptions.
