Sweden overcoming the last obstacle to accede to NATO this week has sparked speculation on whether Vladimir Putin may soon launch a new attack to respond to the alliance expanding its European borders.
Geopolitical analysts have suggested nations facing the Baltic Sea – including Latvia and Lithuania – could become the Russian president’s next target.
But a former US General has argued the small Russian-speaking enclave of Kaliningrad would make a more appealing objective because of its position.
The enclave stands between Lithuania and Poland and offers potential access to the Baltic Sea to Russia’s ally Belarus, which is currently completely cut off from the sea.
Retired Gen. Mark Hertling, formerly the Commanding General of United States Army Europe, said Kaliningrad would be the most likely target in the event of Ukraine’s loss.
READ MORE: Putin ‘in survival mode’ as Ukraine war tactics branded ‘totally insane’
