Risk of Russian invasion: tensions rise in Lithuania

In Lithuania, according to The Kyiv Independent, the tension is palpable. "Discussions about a possible Russian invasion are very frequent," said a resident of Vilnius, the country's capital.

"The war won't break out tomorrow, but we're preparing," says the Lithuanian Defence Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė.

Sönke Neitzel, a German military expert in an interview with the daily Bild, claims that "this could be the last summer of peace in Western Europe".

According to the expert, the current situation of uncertainty is partly caused by the presidents of Russia and the United States, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. He also highlights the recent military maneuvers in Belarus, which Lithuanians fear may cross the border. And in that case, what would happen?

"The NATO mutual assistance clause will probably cease to apply, at least for the United States; deterrence will be weakened," he states.

(MH with AmBar - Source: Kiev Independent - Bild - Photo: © Unsplash)