A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow needs a land corridor through NATO-member countries, intensifying the already fraught relationship between Russia and the West.
Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, shared a clip of Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov discussing this assertion, where he also compared his proposal to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent statement about acquiring Greenland for American security.
Why It Matters
Solovyov’s comments come as global leaders consider the implications of a potential second term for Trump, who has pledged to quickly negotiate an end to the conflict. Tensions between NATO and Russia remain high following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Although the conflict has mainly focused on Ukraine, Russian officials and state media have frequently alluded to broader territorial ambitions. Poland and Romania, both NATO members, are often mentioned as potential targets in Russian propaganda.
What To Know
Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, shared a clip on X (formerly Twitter) featuring Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov advocating for a land corridor to connect Russia with its Baltic enclave, Kaliningrad. This plan would require crossing NATO-member countries Poland and Lithuania.
In the clip, Solovyov blamed Britain for strikes on Crimea and called for Ukraine’s removal from the Black Sea. He referred to Odesa and Mykolaiv as “Russian cities” and pushed for a land corridor to Transnistria, claiming it was necessary for energy security.
Solovyov also compared his proposal to Trump’s recent statement about acquiring Greenland for American security. “Russia needs a land crossing to Kaliningrad and must eliminate hostile states on its borders,” he said. “For this, we must reach the Atlantic.”
Gerashchenko dismissed Solovyov’s remarks as evidence of Russia’s expansionist goals, calling him a “filthy warmonger” in his tweet.
What People Are Saying
Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, at his annual news conference: “Threats on the western flank, on our western borders, must be eliminated as one of the main reasons of the conflict). They can probably be eliminated only in the context of some broader agreements.”
US President Joe Biden, during a speech on Monday, stated: “Today, Ukraine remains a free and independent country with the potential for a bright future.”
What Happens Next?
Even as President-elect Trump, who has frequently touted his close relationship with Putin, returns to the White House, concerns in NATO countries over potential Russian attacks are likely to continue.