Putin invasion in TWO MONTHS: Russia to test Nato while US distracted by Trump Presidency
THE BALTIC states are on heightened alert amid fears Vladimir Putin may “test” Nato in the weeks before Donald Trump becomes President.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister says Russia pose a huge threat
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister has admitted he fears for the Baltics and believes President Putin will use this opportunity to examine the military strength and conviction of Nato and Europe.
President-elect Donald Trump has already show a desire for a closer relationship with the Kremlin, much to the concern of the Baltic states which lie on Russia’s western doorstep.
Speaking to the BBC Linas Linkevicius said: “The new administration doesn’t come in until the second part of January.
“I’m very afraid and concerned about this period not just because of the regions which are close to here but let’s hope that Aleppo is not smashed from the ground by then.”
Such are the fears over a possible Russian invasion in Lithuania military conscription has been reintroduced while literature has been distributed to citizens about how to handle a Russian takeover.
Is Vladimir Putin gearing up to invade?
Major Linas Idzelis from the Lithuania military told the BBC: “It is an alarm yes.
“It is an alarm that says not that they are coming but that the threat is growing and is growing every day.”
This week Lithuania’s government made the decision to pull a Russian state-owned TV station off the air.
It came after a member of Russia’s parliament, the Duma, said if US troops moved towards Russian borders they will “burn down”.
Russian nationals make up roughly six per cent of Lithuania’s population.
Linas Linkevicius fears Mr Putin may seek to test Nato and the Baltic states
I’m very afraid and concerned about this period
Lithuania was the first Soviet Republic to declare its independence following the collapse of the USSR.
A recent report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warned it would take no more than 60 hours for the Russian military to take control of the Baltic states.
The CSIS report, entitled 2018 Security Outlook, states: “Russia is not modernising its military primarily to extend its capacity to pursue hybrid warfare.
“It is modernising conventional military capability on a large scale; the state is mobilising for war."
It added: “Western assessments that Russia is vulnerable to economic collapse and disruptive internal discontent are exaggerated.
“Russia is adapting to adversity; the economy is deliberately tilted to security rather than economic freedom."