This country will be the next to be annexed by Vladimir Putin, according to experts

Will the Kremlin settle for Ukraine? Speculation on this point is growing as the conflict stagnates. According to some experts, another country could be the Russian military's next target: Lithuania.

Why could Lithuania be a target of Russia?

Former CIA director David Petraeus has issued a worrying warning. In an interview with the think tank Policy Exchange , which was shared on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed concern about Vladimir Putin's ambitions , saying that he is unlikely to limit himself to Ukraine. He believes that once the current conflict is over, Russia could target one of the Baltic states . He points out, in particular, that Lithuania frequently appears in the Russian president's speeches, which he believes should attract much more attention.

Lithuania: A key location for Vladimir Putin

Lithuania represents a key strategic point for Moscow , particularly because of the Suwałki Corridor, a narrow 65-kilometer passage connecting the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad to Belarus, Russia's main ally in Europe. This corridor separates Lithuania from Poland, both NATO members. In the event of conflict, its capture would allow Russia to militarily isolate the Baltic states from the rest of the Atlantic Alliance , while ensuring territorial continuity between Kaliningrad and Belarus. Moreover, Lithuania is one of the most assertive Baltic states towards Russia, particularly on the Ukrainian issue, which reinforces its profile as a potential target. Its strategic role and its position at the forefront of NATO's defense architecture make it a sensitive link in the regional balance. For the Kremlin, striking Lithuania would test the strength of the Alliance and send a strong signal to the West.

Reminder on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

The conflict in Ukraine , initiated by the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, marks the brutal return of war in Europe. Vladimir Putin, citing historical and security reasons, launched a massive offensive aimed at overthrowing Ukrainian power and curbing Western influence on its borders . Ukraine, supported militarily and financially by Western countries , put up fierce resistance, retaking part of its territory. After more than two years of intense fighting, the front has stabilized, mainly in the east and south of the country, around lines defended by both sides. Moscow is pursuing a war of attrition, banking on Western exhaustion, while Kyiv still hopes for a breakthrough, despite limited resources. The conflict is now protracted, with no immediate political outcome, but with global repercussions on security, the economy and the international order . At the time of writing, Ukraine is presenting the peace conditions presented by Russia as unrealistic "ultimatums" that do not allow for an end to the conflict.