The Independent: Kaliningrad - a vulnerable point for Russia that needs to be pressured 0 102

NATO countries need to apply "systematic pressure" on Kaliningrad to deter Russia from aggression against the alliance, said former national security adviser to ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Mark Sedwill. In a column for The Independent, he quoted the words of the ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu: "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Attack where he is unprepared; appear where you are not expected." Sedwill noted that NATO should act similarly regarding Moscow.

He reminded that Kaliningrad relies on land and sea supply routes that NATO countries can control. Also, according to Sedwill, the alliance can target other "vulnerable spots" in Russia, particularly outdated infrastructure and dependence on Western technologies. "We should demonstrate the ability to carry out cyberattacks on Russian energy and military infrastructure," noted Johnson's former adviser.

Sedwill also suggested detaining Russian vessels in NATO countries' waters and adopting extraterritorial legislation that would allow the alliance's naval forces to respond to attacks on cables in international waters. Sedwill emphasized that the risk of such actions lies "not in provoking attacks," as Russia "is already attacking." "The risk is that the inability to impose a cost provokes further aggression," he concluded.

Earlier, the commander of U.S. ground forces in Europe and Africa, General Christopher Donahue, stated that NATO could capture the Kaliningrad region in a very short time if necessary. He emphasized that the alliance has already begun implementing a strategy called "Deterrence Line on the Eastern Flank," which will prepare an effective response to threats from Russia.

Prior to this, Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev accused NATO countries of practicing the capture of the Kaliningrad region during exercises. He also warned of the intentions of the United Kingdom and several EU countries to block Russia's access to the seas and paralyze the operations of ports in the Leningrad and Kaliningrad regions. At the same time, Patrushev threatened that such attempts would meet with "adequate and proportionate resistance."