Residents of the Lithuanian settlement of Panemune told LRT they felt no threat and questioned the need for military reinforcements after Lithuania decided to send troops to the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
One resident told the broadcaster that the area was calm. Another said military vehicles were unsettling but that he had seen no signs of danger. A third criticized the local government’s decision.
Lithuania’s government announced that about 100 service members would be sent to the border for two weeks. LRT reported that Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas described the move as preventive. He said the country’s threat level had not changed, but border-guard resources were limited. Among the possible risks, he cited an increase in irregular migration from Russia if mobilization were declared there.
The same report cited Vladimir Putin’s remarks at the plenary session of the 23rd annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club. He said Russia would use all its forces and means if Kaliningrad were attacked, and said the country did not intend to attack anyone in 2029, 2030 or 2050.