Russia’s Medvedev warns Lithuania could disappear from world map

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has warned that Lithuania could “disappear from the map of the world” if Russia were to strike the country.

According to Medvedev, other NATO members might not invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on collective defense in the event of an attack on Lithuania. He argued that applying the provision under such circumstances could lead to a global catastrophe.

The statement came amid discussions in Lithuania over the possible deployment of US nuclear weapons in the country.

In early June, Lithuania’s Defense Ministry said it was holding talks with the United States on the issue. Media reports suggested that the discussions could involve the deployment of US bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Lithuania’s Constitution currently prohibits the deployment of weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on its territory. Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas indicated that the Seimas (Lithuania’s parliament) was considering lifting the ban.

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov previously noted that deploying nuclear weapons in Lithuania would represent a serious escalation of tensions. He added that Lithuania would consequently become one of the potential targets of Russian nuclear weapons.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia does not threaten European countries and does not intend to do so. According to Putin, Moscow could regard the deployment of European military personnel in Ukraine as Europe’s participation in the war against Russia.

By Jeyhun Aghazada