Russia's Kaliningrad Problem with Lithuania Is Ukraine 2.0 ... with Some Big Differences

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Lithuania has begun enforcing European Union export restrictions on Russia, thereby blocking deliveries of steel to its Kaliningrad exclave. The parallels between this situation and Ukraine are uncanny. However, there are a few major dissimilarities that will likely lead to a different outcome.
0:00 What is Kaliningrad?
0:49 The Lithuania Crisis
1:43 Connection to Ukraine
3:08 How Russia Bought the Black Sea Fleet
5:12 The Kaliningrad Land Bridge Problem
6:40 The Crimea Land Bridge Problem
8:26 Why Lithuania Is Different
Images licensed under CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/...
From President of Ukraine:
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From Government of Ukraine:
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From Kremlin.ru:
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From RIAN Archive:
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By U.S. Secretary of Defense:
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FinnishGovernment:
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From European People's Party:
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Baltic Economic Forum:
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From Saeima:
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[@CJusticeHappen21]

Lithuania purposefully rejected assimilation with Kaliningrad for the purpose of avoiding adding Russians to their population. They basically avoided the fate that Ukraine got when they got Crimea.

[@idkgoodname]

@@Manticoruss Russia illegally declared independence from Mongols too. Therefore, we can conclude that Russia is rightfully Mongol owned.

[@jjsmthr]

@@Manticoruss Russia is not an independent country. It's basically a terrorist state. Deal with it.

[@akzy4532]

@@Manticoruss cope

[@lacosta0892]

@@Manticoruss and russia illegally took crimea from Ukraine, what’s your point?

[@compatriot852]

It would have also given more Russian military support against the Forest Brothers as well

[@CHITUS]

5:39 Lithuania was never been a "Soviet brother". They was just a oppressed and occupied territory by Soviet Union. They fought their way out literally with only hands against tanks by laying down on the streets, pushing them with bare hands. That was in 1991, people died that day, crushed with tanks and shot dead by soviet soldiers.

[@jamsky1558]

Yeah, this is important. "Soviet brothers" are like a group of family members, recovering together in therapy, after moving out from abusive josef fritzl style father, calling himself the boss of the neighborhood, because he has a machine gun.

[@jamsky1558]

@@weakspirit_ but people watching this don't know this. It's for them, not for the author.

[@danielch6662]

@@jamsky1558 yeah. Uncle Joe was from Georgia. His whole life, he spoke Russian with a weird accent. Not that anybody dared pointing it out while he was alive.

[@Gametheory101]

@@weakspirit_ Right, it was sarcastic. The next sentence immediately pivots to "Lithuania was like lol no."

[@danielch6662]

CHITUS, Antanas Sniečkus was not Lithuanian? Krushchev offered to transfer Kaliningrad to Lithuania in the 1950s. But Sniečkus refused, mostly because there were already too many Russians in it by that time. Crimea is larger than Kaliningrad, but Ukraine is even larger than Lithuania. Lithuania only has 2.8 million people today, 85% Lithuanian and 5% Russian. Kaliningrad's population is 430,000 with 87% of them Russian, and hardly any Lithuanian at all. If Kaliningrad were annexed into Lithuania today, Lithuania's Russian population would jump from 5% to 16%. And the worse part of it is they are all concentrated in the southern part of the country. This could possibly in the future give rise to separatists wanting to tear off that bit of the country and annex it to the other neighbour. Like what happened to Coahuila y Tejas.

[@rufenas123]

at once Lithuania was ranked nr1 at hating russia. Calling them "brothers" is a big mistake. Lithuania sees russia as the biggest enemy as the biggest bad guy, from all the countries occupied by them Lithuania fought the hardest. Out guerilla war was one of the longest and bloodiest in europe.

[@killmeh2]

@Duplizapper we continue to hate russia, meanwhile germans can't have enough of russian pipes in their mouths

[@fictionwojak3595]

@Duplizapper Lithuania still hates Russia more, as the Nazis caused less pain and suffering than the Soviets here in Lithuania.

[@R0ccojas0n]

@Duplizapper Germany chose hostiles with USSR though....Lithuania was only defending their home

[@kubsonixd6845]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Russian_sentiment Polish people hate the mist

[@zarakdurrani7584]

Respect to Lithuania. Fighting stronger countries and empires since the 13th century.

[@LTVeranda]

"Soviet union" was never a "union', for Baltic states it was a brutal occupation. Baltic states have always been oriented towards the West and when occupied by Soviet union, continued their resistance through entire occupation time. So to call Lithuania and Russia 'brothers' is just disrespectful. A third part of population was wiped out, most of families in Lithuania have their relatives or grandparents killed by the soviets.

[@XXX1NELSON1XXX]

ukraine suffered the same. well most of countries ocuppied by orcs suffered that

[@BrianLTU]

Yh disrespectful fs

[@siberiancat9363]

@@XXX1NELSON1XXX ahahahaha. Based as f

[@hkxl493]

@@siberiancat9363 attention seeking child spotted

[@tstanemo8950]

He was being sarcastic when he said brother

[@marksullivan2230]

Kaliningrad was originally a German City. During WW2 the city was levelled with not a single building surviving. As late as the 1980, significant buildings - such as their Cathedral - were still in ruins. At the end of the War, Russia decided it wanted an “ice free” port for the Baltic fleet. So they evicted every single German, then settled it with Russians. It is strange when you go there because they put an enormous effort into celebrating their German history and culture. Which is hilarious because not a single family can trace their roots back to earlier than 1945.

[@gamerdrache6076]

true my family is from there when it wa sgerman

[@unconscious1076]

Using the logic shouldn't north Americas entirely belong to Natives since they were there for millennia ?

[@marksullivan2230]

@@unconscious1076 No, it is just for history and context. As far as I know, Germany is not asking for it back. Although now you mention it, given where it’s positioned, it probably just makes sense to split it between Poland and Lithuania now don’t you think? Really the Baltic is a NATO lake now so it is not really a viable territory any more. Maybe have a referendum and see if the residents want to be part of Lithuania and the EU. Much better salaries etc. in the EU.

[@unconscious1076]

@@marksullivan2230 agreed

[@Arcaryon]

@@marksullivan2230 Na, it will just become our anti Russia. Like a reverse GDR. We let Germany do the finances, Poland does the logistics and the locals finally get a decent government and everyone is happy. Except Putin. He would not be happy. But who cares about that guy anyways.

[@BANKO007]

One major correction. The Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were not Soviet brothers, but they were forcibly occupied by Soviet Russia from the original invasion in 1940 (interrupted by Germany for three years) until post-Soviet restoration of independence and liberation from Soviet occupation.

[@markheithaus]

Yep. That's my issue with "The Great Patriotic War" celebrations. I'm American, and I'm generally a bit conservative and religious (I hope not obnoxiously so). I understand a lot of the Russian mindset, and I lived in St Petersburg, Russia for a while. But I now see "The Great Patriotic War" as an obsession. I'll never forget my first few months in Belarus and Russia, and I gawked in utter fascination at the Lenin Squares, Victory Parks, and all the monuments that said 1941-1945. But then I remember my first visa run to Estonia and noticed the obvious lack of Soviet anything. The Museum of the Occupations in Tallinn was impactful. What strikes me is how many Russians deny to an obsessive degree anything that suggests that Russia wasn't the almighty savior of Eastern Europe. It's a problem. The memory gap is very real.

[@BANKO007]

@@markheithaus Very well put

[@Rigel_6]

@@markheithaus ​ Well, I'm not sure how Lithuanians and Estonians see it, but from Polish point of view, the "Great patrioric war" as ruskies call it should be called the "Great unprovoked war of agression, butchery and backstabbing". In every conceivable way, USSR was as much a villain of WW2 as Germany was, hell, maybe even more, given all the consequences felt over the next 50 or so years. On another note, russians belive they were "helping" other SSRs and satellite states like Poland and Chechoslovakia, but in reality they were pulling ridiculous amount of resources with nothing in return, causing food crises while moscovites were... well, not living a luxurious life, but at least didn't have to fucking buy meat on monthly debit. There is a USSR-era saying in Poland - it goes something along the lines of "What is the height of mistrust? To drill into the 'friendship' pipeline and check which way the gas is flowing"

[@joachim5080]

@@markheithaus and if Hitler would not have outright attacked Russia (one of the biggest sins ever committed) Stalin would have been content in splitting up Europe between the two of them, as done with Poland.

[@kumisispaketov3654]

​@@markheithaus eastern europe. ah yes, the great involvement of allies in eastern front, somehow in the american version(even) of wikipedia there's nothing about that, but at least there is a statistic that says everything that soviets had were 60-70% by lend-lease. ah so true, my memory gap is gone.

[@losthart5577]

If Russia didn't treat its dominions like crap during the "Commie" years, then maybe these countries wouldn't be defensive towards Russia. Remembering old wounds bring up old fears. 🤔

[@debilman9065]

And the Russians are not helping quell Eastern Europe's fears by commiting war crimes in Ukraine.

[@mmarsh1972]

No, they all pretty much all hated Russia before the communists as well. Russia has a LOOONG history of invaded its neighbors throughout the centuries.

[@angelikaskoroszyn8495]

Honestly people are willing to forget a lot since new generations simply never experienced Soviet version of communism. The issue is that Russia never grew out of its imperial phase It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Poland is not that EU-loving, NATO ass-sucking, West lover. But because Russia continues to act as Big Bad no political party even proposes leaving either of the organisations. Similar thing happens with Nordic as well as Baltic countries and finally with Ukraine

[@augustuslunasol10thapostle]

@@angelikaskoroszyn8495 poland infact loves to NATO and loves EU benefits

[@mavfin8720]

Same reason Poland is very anti-Russia

[@gediminaskucinskas6952]

You forgot to mention that soviet union once suggested to give Kalliningrad to Lithuania but Lithuania rejected because they feared that since there are so many russians there (as most native german or lithuanian people that lived in Kalliningrad were killed or deported) it could cause to big problems in the future like Crimea.

[@punkmonk666]

HOLY CRAP I didn't knew we at Kaliningrad are so unlucky)

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic1139]

If they gave it to Poland, there would be no problem. They should have as compensation for eastern land they took from us. We would have no problem to populate it and they knew it. But Stalin hated Poland, he took Lviv from us, Grodno with over 80% Polish population which is right next to the border. Imagine "winning" a war and getting smaller.

[@bogjesrbin484]

@@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic1139 Stalin hated Poland? Man, he gave a lot of core German territory to Poland for free. It’s totally unfair. And Lviv was founded by Russian king from rurik dynasty, and the whole area is known as red Rus

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic1139]

@@bogjesrbin484 For free???? 2nd Polish republic was 24,6% bigger than modern Poland. You call this for free? Territories of red rus changed hands several times in early middle ages between Kyivan Rus and Poland. In 14th century it was incorporated into Poland for good and ever since it was a Polish city. Poles made it the capitol of the region, the grandest city in contemporary Ukraine. For centuries it was a center of Polish culture, probably in top 3 most important cities in interwar Poland. Stalin hated Poland because of 1920. At that time he sieged Lviv and refused to sent help to Tuchaczewski's efforts in Warsaw, creating a gap in Bolshevik forces and allowing Poles to counter attack. Taking Lviv from Poland was a matter of personal ambition and revenge. It's funny how you call these "core German lands" when they were founded by Poland and it lost them to Germany around the same time when it got red rus.

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszczykiewic1139]

@@bogjesrbin484 Besides he was no Russian king, Rus or Ruthenian king. King of Galicia and Volhynia. Much closer to modern Ukraine than Russia.

[@taumil3239]

"Lithuania, one of its former soviet brothers" - we were never brothers, actually I don't think there was ever anything resembling even a notion of positive feelings towards Russia

[@777chicha777]

There was, until there wasn't. That's how love works. It slows ebbs closer or further. Saying you were never brothers is like saying you were never part of the CCCP

[@danekender5332]

I think your rite 🍻

[@kazekamiha]

By 'Former Brothers' I imagine it's where one holds the other at gun point and says "I AM YOUR BROTHER! YOU WANT TO BE SHOT!? DO YOU!?!?"

[@orangypteco8858]

@@777chicha777 because Lithuanians were never part of the USSR by their choice, the baltic were constantly strong armed by the Russians into this "brotherhood" which was more of an occupation than any kind of true cultural connection.

[@777chicha777]

@@orangypteco8858 you're wrong. Russia and the USSR are not the same. The USSR was communist while Russia is democratic (in most ways). Russia agreed to Lithuanian independence and had almost no issues. Their issues with Ukraine were always there.

[@richardk5246]

I have family in Lithuania and they would not have called themselves brothers with Soviet Russia. Everyone I know in Lithuania hated them and the feelings against Russia are still very strong.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

Its no different in the Netherlands since WWII, still an intense but subdued lack of trust with the Germans, since being occupied by the N a z i s

[@SroWwe]

@fan there’s no such thing as +-25% russians. It’s as much as 5% or even less.

[@zjeee]

@@fan-ey8mn The Russian speaking population is less than 5%.

[@marioformosa4259]

Yes brother or otherwise it is not wise to taunt a big guy hoping that a diversity guy will come and help you

[@nekochan222]

@@fan-ey8mn what are you babbling about, just go check any official source, russian ethnicity number is at 5% (according to 2021 data).

[@RandomBazooka]

Lithuania being a soviet brother? That is a big factual mistake to say. It's like saying USA is a Chinese brother.

[@bardanke]

We are though

[@benas_st]

@@bardanke Sovietinis broli, laimingai gali eiti ieškoti Stalino (o dabar Putlerio) saulės. Kai išdegins akis, gal ką nors ir suprasi.

[@bardanke]

@@benas_st Tai stalino ar putino?

[@bardanke]

@@benas_st O tau jie jau isdegino akis?

[@aldonabagusauskas4956]

I know! Where do these people get this B S from?

[@MochineMike]

Dude, the Baltics hated the Russians especially Lithuania.. they all pretty much welcomed Nazi Germany as liberators when they invaded after the start of OP Barbarossa

[@liesdamnlies3372]

Same boat as Ukraine on that one. "Holy shit, these Nazi Germans are assholes but they're way better than Russians." Later: "Holy shit they're almost just as bad, nevermind, shoot everyone."

[@honkhonk8009]

Its hilarious how the Soviets made the NAZIS look like saints. Soviets were truly a fucking black scar on humanity. America has its criticism, but most of the wars its been involved in, and most of the influence its gained, isnt even by purposefully power grabbing. Vietnam was because they had defence treaties with south vietnam, and wanted to prove to Europe that it will honor all its defence treaties regardless of importance. Iraq was because Saddam Hussein would use unusually high quality aluminium for missiles, which normally would be used for uranium enrichment. Stuff like this sent so many alarm bells, that a post 9/11 USA was fear mongered into invading. But even then, Iraq was independent from the US, and actually votes against the US alot of times in the UN. Even then, the US paid reparations to both Vietnam and Iraq. I always loved how Russians try to say the US is "evil and imperialistic", when the Americans look like SAINTS compared to Russia and China.

[@belofost]

@@honkhonk8009 So US used chemical weaponry in Vietnam with millions people hurt, they also used nukes to wipe 2 entire cities down. And you say soviet bad, saint Nazis. Well ok, but how about you just understand that you can not call a country good or bad? It does not work this way...

[@jimattrill8933]

The Ukrainians also welcomed the Germans as a liberation from Soviet Russia which had caused a great famine. Nobody likes the Russians and the same is true nowadays.

[@shadowgamer4306]

@@honkhonk8009America is the lesser evil there is no denying that, but calling them saints is a bit too much for me.

[@MV-hx6jr]

Dude, Lithuania was never a "Soviet brother" , what a weird messed up comparison that is

[@snowman821]

@@SunriseLAW no

[@psy-lion]

more than a forced step-brother :D

[@CamPaFai]

it's a joke

[@TheAustronaut03]

thats how putin sees it

[@-.respect.-]

the subtitles say soviet "brothers" so he was being sarcastic

[@vgshwk]

Funny that Russia is beetching about Kaliningrad being denied a land route to continental Russia which is perfectly legal when they are denying Ukraine illegally a sea route to the Black Sea.

[@rafikrabhi7684]

Ukraine has blocked their own ports with mines to keep the Russians out. ..

[@vgshwk]

@@rafikrabhi7684 Ukraine never mined Mariupol.

[@rafikrabhi7684]

@@vgshwk they did with Odessa

[@vgshwk]

@@rafikrabhi7684 they had no choice with Russia stealing Crimea and then snake island.

[@rafikrabhi7684]

@@vgshwk that's another point but Russia aint blocking or denying.

[@Ghost1828]

Lithuania is where my dad is from. He fought against Russian soldiers

[@danrook5757]

Mine also

[@bljah123]

Thanks for the info and history. Not always easily available on main stream, plus saves me having to dig in 😊

[@joeallen9104]

Liberating ethnic russians and forming a land bridge with crimea may be their official goals, although has anyone noticed that the area occupied just so happens to contain the majority of Ukraine's natural gas reserves?

[@Arcaryon]

I will kind of copy and paste a response of myself that explains this very well: (In response to some guy saying it began with the president of Ukraine being allegedly forced to flee the country) The real story is why the protests even began that forced him to flee to escape justice. Remember 2013? "Russian embargo of Ukrainian goods refers to trade sanctions Russia launched against Ukraine starting in July and August 2013. That resulted from putting all Ukrainian importers to the "list of risk" by the Federal Customs Service of Russia on 14 August 2013 that resulted the embargo of imports from Ukraine to Russia.[1][2]" Wanna know why Russia sanctioned Ukraine? To keep them from joining the EU. Not NATO. Guess why we have this war now? Because Putin lost his puppet in 2014, so he knew that he needed to keep Ukraine out of the EU some other way. Why? Because when Ukraine makes it, in his eyes, he is done. Then it would be obvious that his regime is the problem. Then he would be in the GDR again. Did you know that? He was a KGB officer in the GDR when it all fell apart. And later, the director of the FSB. Conveniently just prior to his election. Interesting isn’t it? And why is he ok with Ukraine jointing the EU now? Because while he didn’t get all Ukraine, he thinks that he already ruined its economy for as long as he will live. The Donbass is its industrial heartland. Was. Before 2014. So many convenient circumstances… Why 2022? After the west was finally weakened enough to make his attempt. Did he care for the civilians? In the second Chechen war, HIS Chechen war, VERY conservative ( propaganda ) estimates say that 120.000 civilians were killed. 120.00!!! in the Donbass, in total, on both sides, only 14.000 found the same gruesome fate until 24 February 2022. Not even mentioning the first Chechen war. Total CONSERVATIVE estimate of civilian casualties? At the lowest estimate, 30.000. If we believe Russia. "Let me tell you about one specific case. I knew for sure that on this day - it was the end of February or the beginning of March 1995 - forty servicemen of the Joint Group were killed. And they bring me information about fifteen. I ask: “Why don’t you take into account the rest?” They hesitated: “Well, you see, 40 is a lot. We'd better spread those losses over a few days." Of course, I was outraged by these manipulations. - Anatoly Kulikov[68]" Chechen war #1 "30,000-40,000 civilians killed (RFSSS data)[16] 80,000 civilians killed (Human rights groups estimate)[17] At least 161 civilians killed outside Chechnya[a] 500,000+ civilians displaced[18]" Chechen war #2 "Civilian casualties Estimate total number of casualties: ~80,000 killed in Chechnya (GfbV estimate),[20] More in neighbouring regions, 40,000-45,000 civilians killed (Kramer),[21] More than 600 killed during attacks in Russia proper. Total killed military/civilian: ~50,000-80,000 * The Committee of Soldiers' Mothers group disputed the official government count of the number of war dead and claimed that 14,000 Russian servicemen were killed during the war from 1999 to 2005.[22]" I hope this clears this up. Also, there are many Russians in this area because under Stalin, there was either a mass genocide or insane incompetence and 3.5 million people in the area starved and were then replaced with Russians, since as you have rightfully understood, there are a ton of recourses there, not just gas btw, also a lot of other stuff. In conflicts like this, I always like to find a good map of the recourses a country has. Often, not always though, very insightful.

[@Arterexius]

@@Arcaryon The civillian casualties in Ukraine are likely much higher than any estimates say right now. The 14.000 dead you mention, is just another estimate. There's no way of checking anything close to a real number, in an active war zone.

[@kdw75]

How long will we let him hold on to it?

[@Arcaryon]

@@Arterexius The conservative 14000 was an estimate until the 24th of February.

[@Arterexius]

@@Arcaryon The invasion of Ukraine started the 24th of February. Meaning the estimation began on the 24th of February. It didn't end there and there's no absolute number of dead civilians from the 24th of February to now. You're saying that the 14.000 dead civilians were an estimated dead, before the war even started, at a time where the entire western world, didn't fully believe in an invasion.

[@Gametheory101]

To be clear, "brothers" is sarcastic. I am well-aware of the Russia-Lithuania history. Anyway, if you enjoyed this video, check out my new book "What Caused the Russia-Ukraine War? (And How Will It End?)". It brings together the ideas from my recent video series into a coherent narrative. The digital version is out now available at amzn.to/3HY5aqW. You can also read it for free by signing up for a Kindle Unlimited trial at amzn.to/3QMsBr8. (These are affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission when you make a transaction through them. Even if you read it for free, you are still supporting the channel.) Physical edition coming soon!

[@averagejoe8358]

Yeah, I was thinking that too. Good to clarify before too many people go "Um, ackchually"

[@SparkyCas]

It's hard to really formulate words on how I'm not surprised, as a native to Lithuania, that my country is very keen on keeping Russian export out of it's way with the restrictions that it's slowly applying. It's just a bit hilarious, knowing the history us Lithuanians have with Russia.

[@cookiecola5852]

Yeah and it also feels so satisfying playing hard ball with Putin😄

[@user-rz8wl6st9d]

I live 10km away from Kaliningrad, its a bit scary because sometimes we can hear them doing tank shooting exercises, and its a bit scary

[@edvsilas8281]

@user-rz8w16st19d You : '' I live 10km away from Kaliningrad, its a bit scary because sometimes we can hear them doing tank shooting exercises, and its a bit scary .'' There are NATO training exercises on your side, as well, how can you tell the difference by the sound ?

[@nigellawson8610]

The Lithuania was ceded to Stalin as part of the secret protocols of the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. The poor Lithuanian people had no say in the matter. In 1940 Stalin formally incorporated Lithuania and the two other Baltic republics into his empire. In 1945 as part of the post war settlement at Yalta, the Western allies recognized Stalin's conquests in Eastern Europe of which Lithuania formed a small part. During the incorporation of this small inoffensive country into the Soviet Union, Stalin's NKVD deported and murdered tens of thousands of innocent people. Therefor, when one considers the historical relationship between Russia and Lithuania, the Lithuanian fear and loathing of the Russians is quite understandable in light of the fact that they were enslaved from 1940 to 1991. Brothers they were not!!

[@yanisbaker881]

Hi from Latvia, Russia isn’t our brother they are the abusive step dad we didn’t want

[@johnfalstaff2270]

Stalin carefully and preventively seized all three Baltic states. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia followed similar steps by Hitler with Austria and Czechoslovakia. Stalin also populated these countries with Russian citizens, hoping to erase their original identity in the future and replace it with Russian culture and identity. He attacked Poland on September 17, 1939, fearing that Hitler intended to incorporate all of Poland into the German Reich. He clearly did not trust Hitler.

[@theholypeanut8193]

@@yanisbaker881 Im from Lithuania and thats bassicly what Russia is.

[@F4CIIphantom.obsession]

@RusaForever I do love how Russians claim territories culturally,lingustically and politically completely different, what next will Lithuania be able to get claims and succesful intergration of parts of Western Russia,Belarus and Ukraine, it was an ethnic part of Lithuania for many centuries no?

[@5.45x39_]

They were brothers in trenches of ww2, but Stalin wasn’t a brother neither to Russian nor to Lithuanian red army soldiers, who could be executed because of minor stupid inconvenience despite having ton of medals, ton of completed objectives and ton of eliminated nazis and sometimes even being Heroes of USSR

[@richdobbs6595]

I find it funny, that Murmansk is effectively a warm water port, since it stays ice free. Most of the time Arkhangelsk is too. But, now days, Russia can use nuclear icebreakers to provide year around access to St Petersburg.

[@ianscott3697]

But Putin would have to move all them ships, build a bigger port to house them, Kaliningrad is more than just a warm port in a snow storm, its a place to fire missiles from.

[@erikvangelder6671]

True. I think, for commercial trade that would be somewhat more expensive (one has to deploy one or more ice breakers), but otherwise, fine. For military navy on the other hand, I can imagine that a fixed route provided by an ice breaker, limits the manoeuverability of vessels passing through, which seems to be a grat disadvantage? Hence, I can see why a warm water port still is preferred over a cold water port.

[@slartybarfastb3648]

@@erikvangelder6671 It doesn't really matter in modern times anyhow. Warm water ports were vital in the days of sailing ships. Russia's problem is the US Navy. Murmansk could stay ice free but there is still only one outlet and it's to the west. Arctic ice locks down the north year-round. Same with the east. Russian warships are under constant observation the minute the leave port and there's only one exit. Saint Petersburg and Konigsberg are just as bad for Russia. There is only one exit to the west past Denmark. Same with the Black Sea exiting through the Bosphorus, Gibraltar, or Suez. Vladivostok is locked in by Japan, Korea, China and the Bering Strait. No Russian ship will survive modern war unless they are under the ice before the war starts, and no ship at sea will ever make it back to port, unless confined in the Black Sea, Barents, or Baltic.

[@ashscott6068]

@@ianscott3697 Nobody can stop nukes, no matter where they're fired from. By the time you have even calculated where an ICBM is headed, it's already too late to do much about it. If it were just one, it would take a collossal effort to stop it. But the fact that each ICBM released a shitload of reentry vehicles, while its still beyond the reach of any anti-missile system, and some of those warheads are real and others are decoys, makes stopping every nuke from even ONE ICBM, basically impossible, even if it's launched from the middle of Russia. Putting them next to your enemy, is just a statement. Tactically, it's kinda stupid, because it gives them a small chance to destroy the missile before it even leaves the atmosphere. A very, VERY small chance. Like you already have planes in the air right next to the silo. Cus by the time the launch is detected, and the information passes through all the relevant phonecalls, and eventually gets to that specific pilot...again...too late.

[@axlslak]

It's not all about having a warm water port. You also have to be able to defend it, you also have to be able to supply it by land, and finally, the distance and obstacles between said port and the Atlantic is also important. Shorter the distance, longer the patrols.

[@kube-dude]

Russia: attacks Lithuania Poland: button pressing time? Lithuania: yes Poland, button pressing time **Article 5 meme intensifies**

[@luk4s56]

*drift phonk music starts playing*

[@m60tsabra24]

*Tanc a lelek starts to play*

[@TheRezro]

I mean. Technically in this case Lithuania would push the button as they are in NATO.

[@revinhatol]

Oh, this just in: Ukrainians support the Czechian annexation of Kaliningrad.

[@apbpa5042]

Lithuania and Estonia never wanted to be Russia's "brother"

[@eliasziad7864]

Neither did the native americans.

[@apbpa5042]

@@eliasziad7864 right, native Americans never want to be Russia's "brother" either 😂

[@eliasziad7864]

@@apbpa5042 🤡

[@apbpa5042]

@@eliasziad7864 nice make-up

[@quakeknight9680]

Never should be.

[@mirovvid5142]

Seeing this video while living 15km from the border on the Polish side is truly an epic gamer moment

[@thealex2971]

Really?

[@mirovvid5142]

For real, the day Russia invaded Ukraine it looked like we were at war as well, military convoys started popping out of nowhere. There's an artillery and tank regiment stationed where I live, in hindsight seeing them mobilise so quickly is reassuring to a certain degree.

[@thealex2971]

I kinda know the feeling Im romanian Romania shares the border with Ukraine and after Ukraine is Russia

[@bonyrita7466]

Thank you very much for your very clear and detailed information. You do understand what you are talking about. I am impressed. Keep up the good work.

[@robvig60]

For many “Kaliningrad” will always be Königsberg.

[@judehylton9692]

That belongs to Gremany. These Russians just think they can walk over and steal whatever they want.

[@Damian-cilr1]

or for poles Królewiec lol.yep thats literally the polish name for Königsberg

[@riccardodececco4404]

@@Damian-cilr1 like the correct German name for Wroclaw is Breslau - and for Szczecin it is Stettin, and for Olsztyn it is Allenstein - the Poles should better never forget this while tinkering with international politics.

[@Orangevirus]

Or for Lithuanians - Karaliaučius

[@riccardodececco4404]

@Dan Beech no, because Roma/Rome or Naples/Napoli had never for a thousand years an English speaking population. Nor were they founded by English speakers.

[@kircou8300]

¨Putin says , we are not in war , we take just back ,we think what is form us ??, maybe can Germany says the same for Königsberg...

[@Arcaryon]

It is certainly the only nation that has a historical claim of 690 years of unbroken rule in the region until 1945.

[@nikitro1732]

maybe then the Germans will also return the millions of lives that were taken by Nazi Germany?

[@astakon4815]

Yes, please. I'm sure Lithuanians would be happier if there was Germany instead of Russia nearby.

[@CGBear]

Germany can not. They are civilised country and respect the laws unlike Russia🥲

[@viggob4816]

I think Russia would hate for Lithuania to see what kind of goods is transferred. Most likely a lot of western sanctioned goods find their way into Russia, and may very well go in transit here. When Lithuanian customs start to discover this, it will be investigated and most likely several of the problematic firms selling to Russia will eventually get blocked in the west.

[@Duesi2024]

Russia is transporting their stolen washing machines to Kaliningrad, thats why they check the transported goods.

[@dapygor9339]

@@Duesi2024 cringe

[@LucasJasche]

@@dapygor9339 cringe is stealing a washing machine during a war, what kind of homeless man loots womens underwear and toilets?

[@gaborrajnai6213]

You actually know, that 75% of the world gives a crap about sanctions, and just trades with russians as before? Sure they have some problems on the transaction side, but nothing irreparable.

[@martso9288]

@@jared8515 i mean, they're just businessmen, doing business.

[@alvarocshc]

You speak in a way that is very easy to understand for non-native English speakers. It's very clear and not fast. Thank you very much for that.

[@lollertoaster]

Some time ago I checked the routes from Belarus to Kalinigrad Oblast, out of curiosity. There is a direct road going almost perpendicular to the Polish-Lithuanian border through Lithuania.

[@seligastas]

You didnt mention the genocide and deportations of people from both those regions throughout both soviet and tsarist times .

[@G.A.C_Preserve]

I like Tsar so I will ignore it

[@JoshWilliams-mf9fc]

This dude is dumb. He gets his info from the news

[@wellardme]

And how the SS were shocked at the brutality of Baltic citizens towards the jewish population when the Nazis arrived.

[@Juzztas]

@@wellardme Jews here welcomed soviets with flowers during the first occupation

[@seligastas]

@@wellardme ohh i see a vatnik shill . So thats the excuse for the centuries long opression of cental European Countries . Russian are an unapolegeticly expansionist and imperialist country and thers no genuine argument that can support their actions for the last 3 centuries . Hit*er is dwarfed by what colectively russia has dobe to central and western slavic people and other ethnic groups whose land they currently squat on . Work camps , death camps , deportations into icy hell scapes , torture , rape , massacres , rusification , genocide , finantial and economic repression for centuries. And when you try to rebuild you end up like Ukraine , attacked out of spite and jelousy .

[@dzengrinder]

Hey, Russian here. Calling any of the Baltic states "Brothers" is clearly an overstatement. Kazakhstan was more of a Brother-state, if anything, although we have significantly less things in common. The only "Brother" move, that we had in history, is when Soviet riot police was suppressing riots in the late 80s\early 90s, we had some protests against it, that's all. Our countries are more or less doomed to be connected, since we're neighbors, but we'll have to fix our country first, and think a lot about how we interact with our neighbors. Although I do feel bad about Kaliningrad, and hope that it'll be ok. Since I have plenty of friends and some of my colleagues there.

[@vult_r]

let me answer your thoughts about how russia interacts with its neighbours : downright hostile

[@tryingtocorrect]

"Although I do feel bad about Kaliningrad, and hope that it'll be ok. Since I have plenty of friends and some of my colleagues there." They say only 1% is blocked. So for example food and other stuff can be transported.. and people can travell . So I dont think its a huge issue really, Putin just makes it bigger than it is. Yes, it hurts Kaliningrad military, but normal people not so much really... only 1% is blocked , not fulll block like the Russian media makes us to believe.

[@josefmengele181]

@@tryingtocorrect 640 of your boys scratched off as of yesterday's reports why don't you join up?

[@tryingtocorrect]

@@josefmengele181 what????

[@dzengrinder]

@@vult_r That's what I'm saying

[@tomseipert3755]

Excellent analysis thanks.

[@barbaraherlihy9967]

Another excellent and informative video Thank you

[@jpablo700]

Well, Lithuania is obliged to enforce EU sanctions. And didn't Russia say said sanctions were not having any impact on them? So, what's the problem now, Russia?

[@highphysics3617]

Part of the problem is, young Scandinavian women😘 who are not intimidated by the Kremlin Dwarf,and Lithuania is doing all the right things. Because they don't blend with his ego,and,he has absolutley no control, and,that gets up his nose! It would be a different story if Lithuania wasn't part of NATO. He'll probably start picking on Finland again soon.🤣😂 Good on Lithuania. Stand your ground.

[@marrchy2682]

Access to Kaliningrad by Land trough Lithuanian was a prerequisite to Lithuanians independence. It Literally is in the Signed Paper. Voiding the main reason why Lithuania was granted independence, spells doom for that tiny county.

[@Charlemagne_III]

Don't be stupid. Lithuania isn't making this decision. This decision wouldn't be made without the approval of the United States.

[@zbygniewingessnn9342]

@@Charlemagne_III The Terrorists Snakes of ignorance **

[@leonieromanes7265]

@@marrchy2682 Russian people and supplies still have access to Kaliningrad. Lithuania is just blocking sanctioned goods from crossing its boarders. Really putin should of seen this coming, when he started his illegal war with Ukraine.

[@chaosXP3RT]

Yevgeny Fyodorovin the Russian Duma on 8 June proposed a bill saying the USSR's recognition of Lithuania's sovereignty on 7 September 1991 was null and void because it went against the Soviet constitution. This tension is entirety Russia's fault

[@camilledouglas7991]

Keep up the good works

[@johnbarry5036]

This was SO well explained 👏

[@Redfour5]

Good objective observations, light on the whys and history, but to be expected for what this is. Lays out the framework of what is going on very well and most importantly, objectively.

[@exequielalonsocaceresdelar7007]

It would be interesting to do a video about the Transnistria-Moldova issue and how it relates to possible escalation

[@tatfly5779]

SO far this week US tried 9 provocations,a plane flying into russ territory,this btch move by lithuania,israel attacking the airport,the nato forces in moldava,an attempted strike on snake island by romanian air forces and so on,so far the rus kept their cool,but it shows how desperate the US is to create new martyrs.It's funny seeing lithuanian idiots commenting how they support this sht when they are under the effect of fear porn,sadly this will bite them back,but I guess it will be better for them to learn the lesson early cause they pissed off both china,russia and turkey.

[@madsuramilitaryallianceupd6388]

True! Moldova is the next.

[@camar4630]

@@madsuramilitaryallianceupd6388 Don't say that.

[@Zlaton.]

@@camar4630 It's inevitable tho

[@manuelcampagna7781]

@@Zlaton. it would be inevitable if Russia won the war. Russia is losing the war and RasPutin's sending more cannon fodder won't help him.

[@TheTimer81]

Tnx for the interesting topic. Until next time.

[@jimc6481]

Excellent ....Thank you from the states. Be strong Europe!

[@bigdikdude4207]

Hello from Kaliningrad! ;)

[@raidoha9190]

Hello

[@djappnew]

Privet druz'ya! I dont hate the people just the system

[@Gametheory101]

I know "Why Putin Didn't 'Cause' the War (But He Is Responsible for It)" won this week's vote, but then the Kaliningrad thing happened, so we're going with this for the week. I've scripted the Putin/cause video, though, so that's definitely happening soon. Also, with any luck, the digital version of my Ukraine book will be released next week!

[@slartybarfastb3648]

I'd appreciate a video retrospective at the activities of Russia's FSB and GRU in the immediate years and decade following the Soviet collapse. I think we get too wrapped up in current events to appreciate how we got here. History leads to the present and everything in the present is easier to understand with a look back at those tumultuous years from 1993 to 2001. Those were the years which laid the groundwork for where we are today.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

appreciate the info and content, one only a handful that we watch, Liked, and also just subscribed

[@MDCDiGiPiCs]

Great content William, thanks for putting in the effort.

[@arisplugis5197]

the big difference is that Russia can use international waters to supply Kaleningrad. Lithuania have no obligations to allow using their railway for logistical conveniences of geopolitical enemy.

[@MikeOxlong-]

Cool, except you may wish to revise that topic of him ‘not’ causing the war - unless you were trying to be punny! 😄 I’m smiling - but serious though...

[@Disco-Mike]

U explained the war for us. Thank you very much.

[@SunnyOst]

I'm surprised I don't hear much more about the landbridge. The current positions make it extremely obvious that this is one of if not _the_ goal

[@highphysics3617]

Putin would not dare attack Lithuania. He knows what the outcome would be. Admiration for Lithuania. They made sure by checking with the EU before taking action regarding sanctions against Russia. They are a tiny nation, that Putin would love to gobble up,but,thankfully they remain waaay out of reach being a member of NATO. It's so sad that it didn't happen for Ukraine, so many years ago,and,not being a political genius,I still don't understand why??? Perhaps there is someone here who can enlighten me without being too SMART. Well done Lithuania. Stand your ground,and shrug off the Putin"gabble".

[@danekender5332]

Corruption is the only reason.. You make excellent points though..

[@tatianavorobiova8015]

Putin doesn't care about outcome.

[@krzheph7373]

They are trouble makers mate - would you risk nuclear war so that a pesky "country " ( it only has less than 500,000 in its capital - thats like less than a small village in China ) can grandstand around the world? Last year it was taunting the CCP and this year its poking the Russian bear. Its irresponsible and war mongering little countries like this that could pull the world into nuclear war. They should act with sensitivity. We have only one planet and tiny little countries like these think they can go around stirring up trouble left right and center.

[@iammrchetan]

It's no Lithuania's decision, that all is coming from USA/EU.

[@ayoCC]

Ukraine had a treaty with Russia and US that if they did not make Nuclear weapons and stayed neutral they would not be invaded and have their sovereignty guaranteed.

[@blotski]

There are very few cases of the differences in USA pronunciation and UK (and in general non-USA) pronunciation. One is 'route'. In the UK this is pronounced the same as 'root'. But 'route' pronounced in the American way does actually exist here in the word 'rout' which means 'a disorderly retreat of defeated troops. Another is 'era 🇺🇸'. This is pronounced in the USA the same way as in the UK we pronounce the word 'error 🇬🇧'. So when an American says 'this was an important era' a British person hears 'this was an important error'. (For info, 'era' in the UK is pronounced 'eeruh').

[@dorismartir316]

Good info, thanks.

[@saltyroe3179]

Russia moved on Ukrain before they could join the EU or NATO. Kalingrad is now like West Berlin, an Island surrounded by enemies. Things will get tense, but with Sweden and Finland joining NATO Russian options are very limited. Combined with Russian failure to take Kiev, I suspect Russia will not cause much trouble in the Baltic. The real question is if NATO will keep up the pressure and thus stop further Russian land grabs.

[@honkhonk8009]

NATO was about to disintegrate after 2016, since Trump wanted to cut down on "US Imperialism". Already it was seen as basically welfare for European countries who didnt want to fund their own military. People were especially mad at Germany, for refusing to pay the 2% requirement on their military, and not letting US troops leave. But now, after Ukraine? Puting singlehandely gave NATO a reason for existing for a whole other generation.

[@angelaalston4180]

On Oct. 10, 1977 ,soccer fans in Vilnius , greeted a visiting Russian soccer team from Smolensk with chants of "Katsapy , Katsapy ! ", the Lithuanian derogatory term for Russians . They also chanted "Russians go home ! " . My source is Peoples Almanac #2 .

[@psy-lion]

Yes, because no one invited them on the Baltic land

[@bobapbob5812]

Kaatsap is also the term used by Ukrainians for Russians.

[@42carlos]

@@bobapbob5812 Let me add that it means "slaughterer" or "butcher" in Slavic languages.

[@schizou]

Ethics issue

[@majk5995]

@@bobapbob5812 it's a pretty universal term for Russians lmao we use it on polish as well

[@emilmills9553]

I say Lithuania will more than likely cut the tracks if Russia keeps going the way they are

[@danekender5332]

As they should!! 🇱🇹 ✊️

[@elmermatthew6796]

By then, Lithuania is no more. No one in the sane mind wants to fight Russia knowing what they could do. It would be just like Ukraine, giving aids only.

[@rishikeshdora4594]

Then it will be lost from the earth lol

[@Day537]

@@rishikeshdora4594 when Putin threatens, everyone concludes it to military war. If Lithuania has anything exported from Russia, then that's where the dominoes will start.

[@janestones323]

@@danekender5332 Big mistake! Be close to your bad neighbours than friends to the distant ones!

[@lindagitschlag4522]

thanks for this video. At the 1:00 mark, the CC track said March 15, 2022 but the audio said May 15, 2022. I thought you should know.

[@robertharrington2658]

Well presented, 👍

[@user-iq3cr3wj4i]

I am Russian in Kaliningrad right now, and we kinda chill here

[@algiz21]

How about you all go back to Russia proper so the Germans can have their rightful land back

[@user-hn5tg1lq7q]

For real.

[@mattpotter7071]

I believe this has less to do about warm water ports, but more to do with natural gas reserves, pipe lines, and petro-dollars. Ukraine standing for their independence and developing their reserves was seen as a direct threat to Russias economic power.

[@westenkey9532]

Not so sure about certainly not but it’s definitely a factor as Ukraine discovered reserves 2012-2014 and Russia annexed crimea in 2014 and russias effectively a petrostate as ~30% of their economy is oil and gas but also Russia is also an imperialistic nation currently and historically so preventing western spread is beneficial to Russia as to protect its identity and pockets overall I would say there is no one right answer

[@Robert53area]

This is why the United States funded to over throw yanokovich yes, to hurt ukraine and russia bottom dollar. The leader of that plan was Joe biden and Hillary Clinton.

[@Robert53area]

@@westenkey9532 crimea was an autonomous republic within the borders of ukraine, and when the euromaiden crisis and over throw of yanokovich, crimea was free to declare independence which it did.

[@edvsilas8281]

Matt, Russia' s primary interest in Ukraine,and it has been stated ad infinitum by Putin , is not for economic reasons but strategic security (no NATO presence in Ukraine) and the protection of the Russian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.

[@yandespar3490]

The theory about natural gas reserves is deeply flawed because it doesn't take into consideration long colonial history of the region. Russian leaders expressed that they can't become a world power without Ukraine multiple times starting at least with the last century. apart from colonial narratives, it was about food. You can how they use world hunger as leverage today. Since russians see themselves as the other major power of the world that opposes USA, they want to re-establish their influence over ex-soviet states at the least and, possibly, over half of Europe. As for the gas, they have quite a plenty of it themselves and quite a developed infrastructure to supply it to Europe. And now they don't have any technologies to develop potential reserves in Ukraine, no investments to develop infrastructure and Europe that decided to slowly stop buying their energy resources. Their imperial ambitions prevailed over economic pragmatism

[@paulreinertson918]

Thanks!

[@TomFghdd]

I live in central PL and always liked Lithuania alot ^^

[@browngreen933]

Good information, thanks!

[@21boxhead]

WILLIAM SKIPS HISTORICAL FACTS AND PUTS THE USUAL FAKE NEWS BULLSHIT

[@browngreen933]

@@21boxhead What did he leave out?

[@21boxhead]

@@browngreen933 4:52 PEOPLE OF CRIMEA VOTED TO LEAVE UKRAINE AND JOIN RUSSIA WILLIAM JUST BASICALLY SKIPS THIS FACT AND BASICALLY SAYS "PUTIN'S FORCES SWOOPED INTO CRIMEA" AS IF THE VOTING NEVER HAPPENED OTHER VIDEOS OF HIM LYING HIS ASS OFF TWISTING HISTORICAL FACTS

[@Vit-Pokorny]

On the Czech subreddit its a meme that we should annex it and finally gain access to sea.

[@vitaminandreja]

Brothers? Huh must've missed that part when we were learning about years of lost freedom and occupation....

[@peterni2234]

Must’ve missed the part where he was being very sarcastic.

[@compatriot852]

In the case of Kalingrad (Lithuania minor), it was once a region heavily populated with Prussian Lithuanians. It was a crucial region to Lithuanian language and culture as people risked their lives smuggling literature and documents from the Russian government who was trying to colonize the region and exterminate it during the tsardom. The Russian population there is fairly recent and almost entirely military after they genocided the local population. In Lithuania proper, a similar situation was playing out, but luckily the Forest brother guerillas were able to fend off the Russian efforts after they invaded Lithuania again along with the other Baltic states

[@MantasasInHD]

@dear dear ya cant read?

[@TarpgalaktinisShvancas]

@dear dear well the geoicide part explains it no?

[@saidalasgarov4971]

During Tsardom Kaliningrad wasn't even within Russia

[@Scheiseposter]

Lithuanians were gone from there by 19th century. Ethnically Lithuanians were minority due to Prussians pushing Lithuanians out and settling themselves there after 3rd partition. And that land never belong to Lithuania to begin with.

[@kba8548]

They weren't Prussian Lithuanians but Prussian Balts surely?

[@halavich9672]

As Ukrainian I look on it with curiocity :D Proud of Lithuanians that they don't fear Russia.

[@edvsilas8281]

It is good to be proud and brave. But it far better to be pragmatic especially against a much bigger enemy.The pride that you speak of may well cost them their freedom.

[@Mistscorner]

Easy to be brave when you are protected by Article 5

[@edvsilas8281]

@@Mistscorner Yes ,easy to be brave with art5;however, would art 5 work here. Would NATO go nuclear over a very questionable UE just to save face sanction call that is in fact a transit provocation ?

[@Mistscorner]

@@edvsilas8281 if it won’t, then there is absolutely no point to be a part of such alliance, meaning it would essentially self-disband. And if it will… well, mutually assured destruction. However, russians view it as a high risk, low reward target as well. Which is, circling back to my point, exactly why Baltic states allow themselves to be so bold, knowing they can do or say whatever they want and there will be no consequences.

[@edvsilas8281]

@@Mistscorner I am not in Lithuania but my roots are there. So I can only surmise but not Lithuanians are of like mind. There are several Lithuanian youtube sites that are activelly discussing the insanity of the current coalition government there. Even those who deeply dislike or mistrust russians are wondering where the present coalition is going.

[@gigachad6582]

Although Russia is preoccupied in Ukraine its not actually investing all that much manpower into Ukraine, im sure if Lithuania wasn't a Nato member Russia wouldn't hesitate to start another "Military operation" but thats not the case

[@gigacanno750]

NATO membership may be keeping Russia's response limited

[@gigachad6582]

@Tyler Phillips yeah I sort of take everything with a grain of salt at this point, no Nation will willing give their exact number of men and weapons for obvious reasons

[@777chicha777]

@@gigacanno750 nope. Russia's own military might is what is stopping Russia from going against Nato because the outcome would destroy what Russia would be fighting for. Plus destroying themselves. Thus not making it very important

[@gigachad6582]

@@gigacanno750 Thats true but you can only push a Nation so far especially a powerful nation like Russia, im sure Russia doesn't want to start a world war but they may be willing to try and call nato out for bluffing and cause discord in the EU with some sort of military or more direct and violent escalation towards Lithuania

[@danekender5332]

@@777chicha777 exallent point,bwe shall see..

[@SoapBoxMediaTV]

well presented

[@theol1044]

What you are showing at 2:23 is Baltiysk, the former German city Pillau and now home of the Russian Baltic fleet, in the Kaliningrad Oblast, not the city of Kaliningrad itself.

[@romualdaskuzborskis]

One correction: Lithuanian PM stated that ban is *currently* at 1% of transit market. While thr full goal is 54%. That is because these things take time in different areas.

[@alexstorm2749]

⚡️American military analyst Scott Ritter on the blockade of Kaliningrad: “The Russians will march through Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and the corridor will reach St. Petersburg. And these three Baltic hooligans will be finished”.

[@romualdaskuzborskis]

@@alexstorm2749 yeah well, we are 2 months in and it seems that the only place russians are going is back home in the form of G-200..And they did not even fought NATO :D

[@alexstorm2749]

@@romualdaskuzborskis Maybe your constant anti-Russia propaganda forgot to tell you about it, but the transit issue had been settled in Russia’s favour and it’s not even being discussed right now. Don’t get too salty over it, ok? Cause everybody knows that the ONLY purpose of your existence is a chihuahua barking at the elephant. 😂

[@Joesolo13]

@@alexstorm2749 lmao more russians for Hell

[@petershestakov5255]

Thank you for objective video. It's pretty rare these days

[@MrZlocktar]

- How to say privatization in German language? - Königsberg

[@benjaminkurilla3943]

Throughout history, exclaves on the Baltic coast had often lead to war. WW II is the latest example.

[@user-hx2ch7pd2b]

At its core, historical circumstances make the two cases incomparable.

[@haruthaiarayawong6257]

I've been in Poland passing thru East Germany just before the fall of the iron curtain. "Brothers" probably means in the Russian language: extreme poverty and people scared for Western Europeans. Nowadays, I think there are few "brothers" in former eastern bloc countries left (maybe Hungarians) who have fond memories of their Russian "brothers". That was really a scary and depressive experience!

[@godmode8687]

My mother is from the ddr. Ehe Always says russia was bot a friend Nation, but a brother Nation. As you can choose friends, and noone would choose russia.

[@godmode8687]

Ehe Always says russia was bot... New web Layout doesnt let me edit and correct my reply ;/

[@slartybarfastb3648]

I think Lithuania is a border too far for Russia. Poland WILL enter the war if Belarus or Russia makes a move on Lithuania. With, or without, NATO. In fact, I think the only reason Poland hasn't already entered the war is because of NATO. Belarussian military exercises near the northwest border of Ukraine are reason enough. The days of watching Russian movements and provocations are over. We all see where that leads. Any aggressive move by Russia or it's proxies should trigger a well prepared response BEFORE they launch their attack. The time for diplomacy has passed.

[@creesmith2794]

Preemptive attacks are the fastest way to start a preventable war my guy.

[@777chicha777]

I agree. I really hope Europe attacks Russia with all they got and Russia just drops it's nukes on Europe. It's a war no one can win and thus no one wants to start it. Simple. I agree with you that the only reason Poland hasn't started a war is because of Nato, ad Nato would not be able to manage the backlash from Russia if it does and Poland would be blamed for the annihilation of Europe (including Russia)

[@SerBallister]

@@creesmith2794 Like Pearl Harbour? ;)

[@danekender5332]

Although you make some excellent points, Let Russia make the First move! Then it will be justified..

[@demontrader1222]

I don t think the Russians will back down. NATO started this. Russia will finish it.

[@Mladjasmilic]

As for Kaliningrad, a suggest West Berlin solution, as Kaliningrad now acts as West Berlin until 1990.

[@Carewolf]

They would first have to build an airbridge to win that priviledge.

[@br0k3nman]

Are you another Serbia who also practiced genocide like the Russians are doing again?

[@Stanko418]

@@Carewolf SLAVA RUSIMA!! BRACA!!!

[@ehmjay97]

"Kalinigrad" isnt Russian soil. This piece of land was settled by Germans, Poles and Lithuanians. It should be free and a member of the European Union. But instead, Russia threatens us from there with nuclear missiles.

[@user-ss6co6vj5f]

One thing - it was settled by Stalin, and other countries was agreed. Stop lying. And we only use Kaliningrad - as a Strategic City, not like a Russian Land. Like - when USA took all Perl Habor - as their Military City, "it's okay", but then Russia do it - "reee it is illegal reee wacrime, reee". Like Bruh...

[@mmarsh1972]

@@user-ss6co6vj5f "It was settled by Stalin" - LOL that translates into English as "Conqueror and Annexed by Stalin in 1945". Prior to 1945, Kalingrads name is KONIGSBERG, founded by German Knights in 1255 AD. Its has German, Polish, and Lithuania roots -NEVER Russian. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6nigsberg. It's about as Russian as Ukraine is. The one who is lying is you, like all Russian apologists.

[@user-ss6co6vj5f]

@@mmarsh1972 >>It was NEVER Russian Yes, indeed - it never was. But if you was been clever person - you will find out, Stalin settled and took this land - bcs it was strategic land for Navy. Not bcs - "there are russian roots". And who is lying now, my Westerner apologist? (Who even - gonna defend USA and NATO warcrimes - amiright?)

[@user-ss6co6vj5f]

@Dan Beech Ki-i-i-inda - yes. As i said to some libtard here, who never read history book, but believe to websites - like Wiki, where i can write "i f_cked your mom" in some arcticle: Yes, Kaliningrad WAS never a Russian City. But it was a Strategic City for Navy. Just like - what USA did with Perl Harbour, and in Modern Days with that Japanese City with most mixed-blood (bcs of rape by USA Army) kids. But - "Colonialist territory" - i still, kinda agree. Well put. But again - it's was made by strategic choice. That's why in Russia - we called this city more like - a "Navy's Capital City".

[@jecacolt5225]

@@mmarsh1972man, stop this "who founded which place first", if were gonna disquice it that way, well then, what about ukranian city Lviv, which is originaly polish? What about New York, which is founded by scandinavians? What about Hong Kong, which is clearly chinese but still is a western colony? What about texas? There is no such thing as "this is my land ive been there first give it back", there is only "i took it bcs im stronger, now its mine, if u want it back, take it from me or shut up"

[@d.p.2680]

I hope that Kaliningrad emerges as an independent nation after all of this, not that they need to rush into EU nor NATO, but to make a balance in the area, and maybe in a distant future move closer to their neighbors.

[@user-hn5tg1lq7q]

Cringe.

[@cykawatte]

Kaliningrad should be a part of Germany again.

[@user-hn5tg1lq7q]

@@cykawatte Kaliningrad should be remain in Russia.

[@Sebastian-sd1om]

​@@user-hn5tg1lq7q ruzzians would rather suck The toes of The Kremlin than fight for Self determination and Independence. Living in shit and suffering makes them "masculine" and Proud :D Serf mentality.

[@dutchsailor6620]

@@user-hn5tg1lq7q Its not in ruSSia to start with.

[@Fogaata]

Very informative thank you!

[@ExodentalCADAcademyofNorth]

Lithuanian and Russian dispute will never end. There is only one historical solution, like on mad Max Thunderdome: "Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves"

[@datsunlambchops4624]

So if that is the case. Save the fight and give it to Russia.

[@realpolitics527]

@@datsunlambchops4624 only that its not just one man on lithuania side. Its whole of nato

[@5.45x39_]

That was the only way until nukes were invented. Now if you have nukes you can at least attempt to remain sovereign from both west and east

[@datsunlambchops4624]

@@realpolitics527 That wasn't the statement. It didn't say Nato, it said Lithuania.

[@realpolitics527]

@@datsunlambchops4624 the ground reality is that lithuania isn't alone its part of nato. Individually, every single european country is militarily weaker than russia. Only the US is stronger. That's why many european nations joined nato. Lithuania is not alone in a wrestling ring with russia.

[@irrelevant_noob]

1:02 Luckily, the 3 months waiting time starts on MARCH 15th, not May 15th. :-B Also, it's "exports" only from the Russian perspective, from the EU's it's a ban on IMPORTS. ^^

[@RANDP117]

As a german customs official, I gotta ad that it is right now also forbidden for trucks under RU or BY registration to pass through the EU. That makes supplying Kaliningrad on roads much more difficult.

[@dutchsailor6620]

At least it makes the roads a lot safer.

[@michaelesq.atpcfii.9862]

Lets hope so. I am getting tired of Russia, time to end it.

[@Asphyxiation42]

Go end it, then. Also, just let the Russians know where you live so they can take you, your family and every one else down with them.

[@lajoyalobos2009]

Russia voided literally ALL the terms of that treaty. I think Ukraine should have claim to the black sea fleet as compensation.

[@lajoyalobos2009]

@@crhu319 I'm actually a Jew, and so is Ukraine's president. Maybe you'd realize that if you pulled your head out from where the sun doesn't shine. Go back to polishing Putin's little fascist knob.

[@28reinvent]

Excellent

[@wasatrumpvoter7929]

I took the time to write an article about the passing of David Kay, a former IAEA inspector who later headed the CIA’s postwar investigation into Iraqi WMD. I then made a two minute topic video. And yet people still have the gall to denigrate the man, claiming he “lied” about Iraq’s WMD, and therefore is personally responsible for the deaths of millions of Iraqis. This needs to stop. Let me start with the following premise: if you weren’t an inspector with on the ground experience in Iraq, or an Iraqi personally involved in WMD programs, then simply put you don’t have a clue. Your best course of action would be to remain silent. Many people believe that I resigned from the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) because I believed Iraq had a clean bill of health. Wrong. I resigned because of American interference in the inspection process necessary for making a final conclusion on Iraq’s disarmament status. I believed-rightly so-that there was work left to be done, and that the US was trying to avoid the conclusions a completed inspection process might reach and as such just wanted to skip the inspections and reach a conclusion based upon an incomplete investigation. I wanted to inspect; the US stopped me. I resigned. My goal was always to get inspectors back in Iraq. To finish the job. I’ve written extensively on this particular history. My book Endgame provides an Annex drawn from a 1997 study I authored about what remained unaccounted for in terms of WMD. My inspections were designed to account for that missing information/material. Throughout my time as an inspector, I had to overcome Iraqi lies, concealment and intimidation. These Iraqi tactics were not conducive to giving the Iraqis the benefit of the doubt. The Security Council resolutions mandating our work called for 100% compliance-not 80%, not 90%, not 95%. 100%. It was nonnegotiable. Iraq never achieved that 100% level. I assessed them at around 95-97%. My inspections were geared toward resolving the unaccounted for 3-5%. This is the point I made to the US Senate and House of Representatives in September 1998. What caused me to radically alter my position wasn’t new data about Iraqi WMD, but continued US interference that led to the December 1998 Desert Fox bombings, which included an assassination attempt on Saddam using intelligence my team had collected for legitimate disarmament purposes. The Iraqis knew this too, and they terminated their relationship with UNSCOM. With UNSCOM dead, I believed that the approach to disarming Iraq could shift from Quantitative accounting to Qualitative analysis-instead of hunting down every last scrap, assess whether what was unaccounted for constituted a meaningful WMD capability. I put this idea in writing, publishing an article in June 2000 in Arms Control Today. I was very much an outlier on this issue. Even my colleagues, like David Kelly, believed Iraq should be held to the original 100% standard set down by law. So did David Kay. David Kay’s testimony was predicated on the 100% disarmed standard. He was right to point out that Iraq had not met that standard. Later, when he headed up the CIA’s investigation, David Kay had to come to grips with the fact that the Qualitative standard was the right one. The report his team eventually prepared mirrored my June 2000 article. There was nothing dishonorable about David Kay. For those who continue to make that argument, you are only highlighting your own ignorance and prejudices. Cease and desist.

[@mindaugas884]

You forgot to mention than in both Crimea and Kaliningrad Russia deported local inhabitants and actually brought people to those lands and gave them the property of the deported ones. Look at the mix of ethnicity of those places before the invasions.

[@edvsilas8281]

@mindaugas884 You : ''You forgot to mention than in both Crimea and Kaliningrad Russia deported local inhabitants and actually brought people to those lands and gave them the property of the deported ones. Look at the mix of ethnicity of those places before the invasions.'' You better study some Kaliningrad/East Prussian history.The majority of that region were German and fled the region and others were repatriated . Put it in your head that Nazi Germany killed 27 million Russians during their unwelcomed vist in Russia and that the Russians didn't take the Germans kindly when they took East Prussia. Do you appreciate that fact ?

[@Asphyxiation42]

You also forgot that the USA and Canada are Anglophone exactly like Crimea is. If Russia has to forced out of their colonization, let them annex the USA and Canada as compensation.

[@mindaugas884]

@@Asphyxiation42 they should not annex anything, they should be reduced to their core. So in Canada and USA case the lands should be given back to natives.

[@crinolynneendymion8755]

@@edvsilas8281 Stalin's tactics killed most of his own soldiers. Don''t you appreciate the fact of the brutality of the Russian socio-political reality?

[@edvsilas8281]

@@crinolynneendymion8755 Stalin died 70 years ago .Times change. People change . Or are you frozen in time. ?

[@gerardbryant4840]

Everyone seems to be looking at Russia's conflicts and problems in Eastern Europe. But China is just waiting for Russia to fail, or over commit it's forces to the European trouble spots, and it will be all over the Central Asian republics, and the area around Vladivostok. Several Chinese ministers have made claims recently about how Vladivostok was originally Chinese, conveniently forgetting that it was ceded to Russia in a treaty long, long ago. The Chinese are also looking at the wealth of the Central Asian republics, and trying to bring them into the Chinese sphere of influence.

[@MysliusLT]

The weapons are getting more and more advanced, at some point nukes will get obsolete and this spells trouble for Russia from China.

[@mrsmerily]

that is what i have been said from the beginning. putler will be not remembered as great leader but a guy who sold russia to china.

[@summerwings4214]

Prime Minister of Vietnam said: China has been our neighbor for 2000 years, but it has never invaded us. You the Americans came. Within 200 years, you had robbed everything from us.

[@Arcaryon]

The worst thing is, I don’t think that they need a war. They can just do it like a slow take over, completely economically. Putin has sold out his country with that damn war.

[@G1NZOU]

China would also probably love easier access to more fishing EEZ to the North of Japan, very good stocks in those waters.

[@vikstankus1743]

It may end with Kalinigrad declaring independence, asking for economic support from the three Baltic States to effectively become a fourth Baltic state.

[@honkhonk8009]

Even though most are russian, they embrace alot of the german history ironically enough. Konigsberg is probably gonna go independent, lets be honest.

[@I_am_somebody_1234]

And who Else would remain, every other ethnic group got yeeted out of there. If kaliningrad separated, It would be a rew RUSSIAN ETHNIC state in the Middle of the baltic, but presumably more allied to the west. Would be interesting to see a free kaliningrad and Ukraine join the EU.

[@Asphyxiation42]

What makes you think Russians would rebel against Russsia? It may end with Lithuania asking Russia to annex them.

[@Orc-icide]

Yeah it's not as much that we are being forced to do this by the EU, we were defiled and abused by the soviets, and Putin is basically that. So we are truly happy to cut off Russia from Karaliauciai (Kaliningrad) Thankful for the opportunity to do so.

[@ItsaRomethingeveryday]

I hope none of the current conflicts lead to ww3, there are far too many people in this world for it to be ok ever for deployment of anything nuclear, may God 🙏 protect us all

[@danekender5332]

😁🍻 Absolutely 💯 correct..

[@sirmiles1820]

Sadly, we might aswell. With the current global leaders and how dictators acting up from South China Sea, India and Europe.

[@mrdrone4253]

your god can't give anyone a hang nail let alone help prevent ww3

[@deivydask3611]

As Lithuanian my best guess would be that Russia would punish Lithuanian very hard, but Russia is very busy right now with other much bigger issues so we are good for now

[@cantinadudes]

Yea and lithuania is in NATO, so he wont attack

[@Rudy97]

Yeah, the war in Ukraine makes people in the Baltic states feel safer.

[@MasterFlopy]

Important thing to note here.. if you look at electicity export and import for lithuania.. it is actualy importing and selling electicity from Russia to poland.

[@flexltu]

As of 2022 May, they are no longer importing electricity, gas or oil from ruzzia.

[@rockabillymike9398]

I live on the Baltic Sea around 30 minutes drive from Kaliningrad It used to be a German town of Noikuren now it’s Pionersky,where Putin has a huge residence I am US citizen married to a beautiful young Russian girl and opened a small Coney Island here Serving All American breakfast to Russians and Germans The business is good

[@Davidcallard]

Whatever sophisticated arguments we may employ to unravel the tangled intrigues of European political history I have concluded that in the simplest of terms Russia's case in Europe is an outstanding example of the oldest and fundamental edict 'as we sow thou shall we reap'. I'm in my basic simplicity suggesting that if Russia 🇷🇺 had over the ages established a degree of goodwill in Europe she could have earned the right to expect certain beneficial sentiments from a sympathetic European community in regard to issues such as access to port facilities etc. As history does so testify Russia's record of behaviour in Europe 🇪🇺 has done little to earn any favours from her European neighbours. Even now in the 21st Century when everyone is supposed to have learnt from history Russia's approach to diplomacy seems more in keeping with the Middle Ages, as they continue their belligerence and clumsy galumphing around the neighbourhood, knocking over and breaking things as they go. A childish interpretation perhaps? Maybe, but I'm standing by it.

[@AmirKhan-ku4jr]

western europe have always wary of russia since they form the russian empire ... they will always fine a way to undermined and block its influence in the region ....

[@NameRiioz]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

[@jamesn0va]

@@NameRiioz but you can't even write one sentence as to why

[@sjonnieplayfull5859]

@@NameRiioz convincing arguments. You just made me realize Russia is the good guy here, and that threatning with nukes on Brittain should be seen as constructive

[@sumeet9367]

pretty stupid comment did your brain forget 'benevolent' Europeans kept launching useless invasions of Russia constantly for their vanity?

[@tomaszkwiecien8591]

Poland and baltic neighbours has promised Kaliningrad allready to the Chech Republic so Our Chech friends have finaly a place on the sea 4 them self.

[@rollinas1]

They didn't keep Kaliningrad, they offered it to Lithuania and we didn't take it.

[@priceless073]

wasnt it cuz there was so many russians living there? so it would affect poltics etc?

[@peterni2234]

@@priceless073 that seems to be the popular consensus.

[@littlecrybabyspecials4057]

Poland should have taken in

[@Aron-ru5zk]

Because it would add half a million Russians into Lithuanias population. Having a population of 20% Russian is not something any country wants lol.

[@m.r.9275]

Should war be declared upon the allied countries, Russia shall realize that the Commonwealth has never fallen, and that Poland-Lithuania still lives… ❤️‍🔥

[@lazypanda9865]

This time, "allied powers" won't have front line soldiers from their colonies to be used as cannon fodder.

[@jurgnobs1308]

@@lazypanda9865 nah, but about 800m inhabitants compared to 150m russians. and of course not as piss poor and corrupt as russia.

[@user-gd2rg8xg2y]

@@lazypanda9865 the vast majority of allied (British and French) casualties were ethnic Britons and French not colonial citizens

[@GlorpLorp]

Lmao. And how well has that commonwealth done?

[@GlorpLorp]

@@user-gd2rg8xg2y not in the pacific front nor the Italian front.

[@rickeras]

Was waiting for lines on maps

[@Gametheory101]

Another time, I promise!

[@rapper4orty2]

After seeing this video it makes sense