Moscow, obtrusive neighbour
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are raising high technology barriers on the border with the Russian Federation. The Bishop of Vilnius explained that it is primarily meant as protection of external borders required by the EU even in terms of combating trafficking and smuggling. But there are concerns with respect to Putin’s muscular policy. The case of Ukraine serves as a lesson…
Also Lithuania intends to strengthen the external borders of the European Union. In the coming months the construction of high-tech “fencing” will begin on a part of the border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus. Lithuania has already ring-fenced the first 23 kilometres of its borders with Russia and plans to extend it for 92 km by 2019, with a view to building more barriers to better monitor the area along 276km shared with its obtrusive neighbour. Estonia plans to start raising a barrier along 108km on its border with Putin’s land in 2018. The Military operation “Atlantic Resolve”, decided by the US (exception made for unforeseeable changes of heart of President Trump) is ongoing in the Baltic region in support of NATO allies in Europe for a “long-lasting peace and stability in the region in the light of Russia’s intervention in Ukraine”, explains the website of the US Department of Defence, informing on the deployment of more troops in the first days of February for Military Exercise in Estonia. While the report on security recently released in Tallin by the Minister of Defence claims “low chances of a military attack by Russia against NATO forces for the year 2017”, the climate in this part of Europe is far from serene and pacified. SIR addressed the issue with Msgr. Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius, ordinary of the Army for Lithuania.
What are the barriers that are being built on the borders of Baltic Countries meant to protect? The protection of external borders is part of the requests for EU membership. However, the measure is not confined to fencing. In fact, it will involve putting in place modern technologies aimed at the security of the EU border. It is necessary to stop the smuggling of tobacco and alcohol especially on the border with Russia and Belarus. We are also a gateway of drug trafficking from Asia, although it has been declining. Then there is the trafficking of human persons entering through human smuggling networks. They arrive from Vietnam; some of them are war refugees. But we are only a transit country. There is need to secure our borders also for historical reasons: when Lithuania gained independence, one of the ugliest events occurred right on the border with Belarus, where Russian special forces killed seven border guards in the night of 31 July 1991. This episode is very much alive in the nation’s memory. Then there is the case of the Estonian Agent Eston Kohver, who Russians captured on the border in September 2014.
Are there more reasons for concern? The Ukrainian issue drags on: we learned that Russian Special Forces send their soldiers into the country illegally before occupying it. They are dressed as civilians, “disguised” as tourists or smugglers. Hence border security is very important for us. The Lithuanian fencing will initially be built on the border with Kaliningrad, home to a Russian military base.
Will the fencing be enough to solve the military problem? The main purpose of the fence is not military defence but control. Lithuania has constantly increased defence spending, strengthened military defence and organized military exercises with NATO partners. This is why are NATO contingents in the Baltic republics. It is a symbolic presence, to say that NATO forces are united to defend any member Country.
Do you feel threatened by Russian occupation? Russian troops have increased and are continuing to increase their presence near the borders, in Kaliningrad as well as in Russian and Belarus territory. The situation in Ukraine is of concern, so is Russian military activity in Syria. Baltic countries are possible lands for Russian expansion following the wake of the ancient Empire. The Russian-language TV propaganda broadcast in our Country is worrying. Various common aspects are reason for major concern.
On many occasions Francis reiterated his NO to the wall, to barriers between people. Are the Baltic people different or is it also a barrier that leads to nothing good? We follow the refugee reception scheme under the European agreements and we welcome high numbers of refugees from Ukraine, although it rarely hits the news. Ours is not a wall. It’s a border protection against illegal activity. A nation should be able to protect its borders notwithstanding the humanitarian responsibility to help people in need.
Baltic Republics: a bridge or a barrier? The Baltic Countries could serve as a constructive bridge with Russia: our people are familiar with that culture, with the method of dialogue, with Russian mentality. For example, this year will be beatified Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis, who spent many years in Russia for pastoral reasons and used to love the Russian people. But he was also kept for many years in Soviet labour camps because of his commitment.
As a shepherd what do you say to your faithful in terms of current events? First of all, we pray for peace. We pray for peace in distant places like Syria and Iraq and in closer ones, that peace may continue here too. We are working for this; for example in the dialogue with other Christian Churches. People have not forgotten the difficulties and the suffering of the war and under the occupation. That’s why the prayer for peace is very topical and much needed. Catholics here represent the majority, but an Orthodox Community of Moscow’s Patriarchate is also present in the Country. There are Lutherans and Evangelicals and a long, beautiful history of ecumenical relations. It is a positive coexistence; but working for peace also means reassuring our people that we are ready to defend ourselves.
