Vladimir Putin panicked as country on Russia's border preparing for war

Vladimir Putin may soon find himself eyeing Lithuania with increasing concern, as the small NATO nation strengthens its defenses and openly prepares for the possibility of Russian aggression.

Lithuania, a Baltic country of just 2.8 million people, shares a sensitive 170-mile border with Russia’s heavily militarized Kaliningrad enclave. Kaliningrad, wedged between Lithuania and Poland, hosts Russian naval bases and missile systems — and lies near the Suwałki Gap, a narrow land corridor that links the Baltic states with the rest of NATO territory through Poland.

Security analysts have long warned that Russia could launch a rapid offensive through the Suwałki Gap, potentially linking Kaliningrad with Belarus — a loyal ally of Moscow — and cutting off the Baltic states from NATO reinforcements. Such a move would be viewed as a direct attack on NATO, triggering Article 5 and possibly igniting a global conflict.

But Lithuania is not standing idle.

The country has significantly increased its military spending and readiness. Former Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis recently told The Sun that Lithuania is actively working to fortify its eastern flank. “We are taking this seriously,” he said. “Russia would no longer be facing just Lithuanian troops — they’d be attacking German troops as well,” referencing the German forces recently deployed to the region as part of NATO’s forward defense strategy.

He also called for more physical defenses along the Belarus border, including anti-tank obstacles like “dragon’s teeth,” minefields, and ditches — measures reminiscent of Cold War-era fortifications.

All of this comes as Putin faces broader international pressure. The U.S. has issued a deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine — initially 50 days, but now reportedly shortened to 10–12 days. Failure to comply could trigger a new wave of punishing sanctions, especially targeting Russia’s energy exports.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks this week to discuss ways to clamp down on Russian energy revenues — a major source of funding for Moscow’s war effort. A Downing Street spokesperson said both leaders agreed that the international community must continue to “ramp up the pressure on Russia.”

Zelensky described the exchange as “very good and substantive.”

While Lithuania may be dwarfed by its neighbor to the east, its strategic position — and NATO membership — make it a critical piece in Europe’s security puzzle. For Putin, any move on Lithuania wouldn’t just risk military confrontation. It would mean taking on the full force of NATO itself.