What makes this particular border of interest is an outcome of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In response to its violation of international law, the European Union (EU), to which Lithuania belongs, imposed sanctions that have caused Lithuania itself to close its borders to certain goods traded by Russia or to transport of materiel otherwise designated. With its standard self-righteous script of indignation, Russia has threatened Lithuania with retribution, yet to be formulated, apparently. There is more to this, however, as the Kaliningrad Oblast happens to be of strategic military importance for Russia. It provides the only ice-free winter port for Russia’s navy on the Baltic Sea; that is, until climate change exerts its influence on the matter. … More The Kaliningrad Oblast – A Time to Detach?