After intimidating NATO's military exercises, Putin went to visit the Russian "enclave" again.
Recently, NATO held an unprecedented joint military exercise under the name "Steadfast Guardian 2024", with the participation of about 90,000 troops from 31 countries and partner Sweden. In this exercise, in addition to ships, fighters, combat vehicles and other types of equipment, more than 1,100 combat vehicles, as well as more than 80 armed vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, were also dispatched. Unlike previous years, the exercise was expanded to the eastern zone of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization near the borders of Russia. What is even more striking is that the exercise is considered a NATO exercise, targeting an enemy of comparable strength. It seems that the object of competition this time should be Russia.
Putin made a surprise visit to the Kaliningrad region, a Russian "enclave" surrounded by NATO members, after a military exercise. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Egyptian government, commented on this. Peskov said that Putin does not intend to convey any message to NATO members during his trip. However, he immediately spoke about the strategic threats facing the Kaliningrad region and noted that the nearby Baltic states were advocating militarism. This sentence is clearly implying something. What is the importance of Kaliningrad, a so-called "enclave", for Russia and other European countries?
On the significance of the Battle of Kaliningrad and its impact on the war.
In Russia's view, Kaliningrad is like a "nail" in the chest of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Russia has already deployed strategic nuclear weapons in the region and has been fully preparing for the further development of the war. Kaliningrad is just over 400 kilometers from Warsaw, the capital of Poland, just over 600 kilometers from Dublin, the capital of Germany, Copenhagen in Denmark and Stockholm in Sweden, and about 1,400 kilometers from London, Paris to Rome. As long as there is a missile of medium range, it is possible to deliver a full-fledged strike on important targets in Europe. Even if Putin doesn't mean to hint at it, European countries will still feel uncomfortable.
The Kaliningrad region is located on the Baltic Sea and is geographically advantageous. Kaliningrad, due to its unique geographical position, poses a danger to the countries of Europe to some extent. Kaliningrad is the forward position of the countries of Europe, and when war breaks out, it can easily become a strategically important area. Kaliningrad is located in an important geographical location, and its security situation has always been a matter of concern.
The anxieties and militancy of the European countries.
So why are European countries worried about the events in Kaliningrad? On the one hand, the war in Ukraine has made European countries see Russia's force, and at the same time fear defeat in the war against Russia. On the other hand, the rescue efforts to Ukraine are gradually showing signs of exhaustion, and they are feeling more difficult to support. In addition, the uncertainty of the US election and comments that Trump has withdrawn some troops from Europe have also made European countries more nervous.
The apprehensions of European countries can also be reflected in the rhetoric of certain militarists. British leader Bernie Sanders said it was necessary for Britain to expand its recruitment to prepare for a possible conflict with Russia. The head of the Norwegian military agreed that it is necessary to increase defense spending in order to better respond to possible contradictions with Russia. The German Minister of Defense announced that Putin would strike at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in five to eight years. Even Sweden has openly declared itself to be a war zone and to establish relations with Russia. The Lithuanian *** minister even claimed that once Trump wins, the withdrawal of the US ** team will be a disaster for Lithuania, which means that Lithuania may be attacked by Russia.
The potential danger of the battle for Kaliningrad.
Although the chances of friction between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are not great. However, this may change when certain conflicts are artificially amplified, such as when European politicians call for war with Russia, NATO warplanes go into battle, and more recently Ukraine uses NATO-supplied rockets to attack Russian transport ships. The presence of strategic nuclear ** in Kaliningrad and the appearance of Putin the day after NATO military exercises are undoubtedly a sign of this. Peskov said that Putin's visit was not a message to NATO, but he also pointed out that the strategic risks facing Kaliningrad and the military propaganda of European countries indicate the importance of the region and the possible threats.
In conclusion, the war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for the past two years, and the war is very fierce and there is no intention of a truce. The most recent NATO largest military operation, the "Resolute Guardian 2024", close to the borders of Russia, took part in the participation of many countries. Putin visited Kaliningrad, a city surrounded by several NATO member states. The "enclave" of Kaliningrad is of great strategic value for Russia and for European countries, as a large number of nuclear weapons have already been deployed there. Fears abound in European countries, and the belligerent rhetoric has heightened fears of a possible war. The significance of Kaliningrad and Putin's visit to it gave a warning to the outside world. Although from the current point of view, this war is not very likely, the outbreak of certain contradictions may turn the situation around.