Russian ambush?

Lithuania’s minister warns of Europe’s “Pearl Harbor”

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20.02.2024 14:36

When it comes to security, according to leading European politicians, everything currently stands or falls on military support for Ukraine. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis used a historical comparison: he warned of a "Pearl Harbor moment" for NATO at the hands of Russia. There was only one way to stop the aggressor in time.

"If Russia is not stopped by Ukraine, the war could escalate," Landsbergis warned in an interview with ZDF. He was certain that Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin would not shy away from an attack on a NATO country should Ukraine lose the conflict - and even warned of a surprise attack on the military alliance.

Lithuania's foreign minister is certain that time is of the essence. Would Russia even stop after a victory in Ukraine? (Bild: APA/AFP/Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD)
Lithuania's foreign minister is certain that time is of the essence. Would Russia even stop after a victory in Ukraine?

"We can't wait"
"We have a very aggressive neighbor with the intention of testing NATO. We have to prepare for that," continued the chief diplomat of the Baltic EU and NATO country. "We cannot wait for a second Pearl Harbor moment. We cannot wait for every European country to actually be attacked by Russia - in the south, in the north, in the east and in the west."

What would Putin's actual plan be? Does he want to push Russia's borders into NATO countries? (Bild: AP/Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool)
What would Putin's actual plan be? Does he want to push Russia's borders into NATO countries?

The historical comparison: Japanese aircraft attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii virtually out of nowhere - this surprise attack caused the Second World War to spread to the Pacific, but the United States decided to take an active part in the war.

Germans had "incredible equipment"
So what would it take to prevent such a surprise? Western military aid for Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia, Landsbergis is convinced. With this in mind, he also called on Germany to supply more weapons, such as long-range Taurus cruise missiles: "Yes, Germany has incredible equipment that it could supply to Ukraine." Ukraine would now need these for strategic reasons in order to gain the upper hand in the conflict.

Where would Russia stop?
If this does not succeed, he paints a bleak scenario. It is questionable whether Russia could be stopped in any other way. "And where would it stop? And that is what all countries on the eastern flank are thinking about. If Russia is not stopped by Ukraine, the war could spread. Then it could also reach us," says Landsbergis.

For his own country, he is certain: "If Ukraine falls, it is clear to everyone that we will be next."

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