**Russian Officials Set Stage for Potential Military Action Against Lithuania**
A recent assessment by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that senior Russian officials are preparing the ground for potential military operations against Lithuania and other NATO countries. The report, published on May 3, notes that Russia has been engaging in propaganda efforts to deny the sovereignty of Baltic and former Soviet states.
Russia’s tactics involve spreading disinformation narratives, such as claims of “Russophobia” and historical revisionism, to delegitimize the statehood of neighboring nations. This approach has been used successfully before, notably in the lead-up to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. By portraying Ukraine and other countries as artificial constructs lacking legitimate statehood, the Kremlin crafts a narrative that positions Russia as a protector of its people and history.
**Russia’s Foreign Minister Joins Propaganda Efforts**
The ISW report highlights a recent example of Russia’s propaganda efforts, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov contributing a foreword to a book titled “History of Lithuania”. The book, published in March 2025 by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), is seen as an attempt to justify Russia’s claims over neighboring countries. Lavrov’s foreword claims that Baltic nations use “falsified” history to stoke anti-Russian sentiment among their populations.
**Lithuanian Foreign Minister Speaks Out**
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, has condemned the publication as a Russian propaganda tool designed to provide a scholarly-looking justification for denying the statehood and distinct histories of neighboring countries. The Kremlin’s messaging has increasingly portrayed states formerly part of the Russian Empire or Soviet Union as belonging to modern-day Russia.
**What This Means**
The ISW assessment suggests that Russia is setting informational conditions that could support future military operations against Lithuania or other NATO countries. By denying the sovereignty of Baltic and former Soviet states, Russia is creating a pretext for aggression. The use of propaganda efforts and disinformation narratives is a hallmark of Russian tactics, and this latest development should serve as a warning to Lithuania and other nations in the region.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com
