Suwałki Gap threatens NATO access to Baltic states
European leaders and Baltic governments are increasingly focused on the Suwałki Gap, a roughly 65–100 km corridor between Poland and Lithuania that is the only land link between NATO and the three Baltic states. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia could carry out limited, ambiguous attacks that seem accidental, complicating alliance responses. The corridor sits between Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, giving both locations operational leverage. Lithuania says it has plans for civilians, including moving elderly residents, and the situation could force NATO to spread air defence, intelligence and reinforcement capacity across multiple theatres.
The Suwałki Gap is the only land connection to Baltic NATO members
Context
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has been used to support Russian operations. This geography could force NATO to spread forces and assets across several fronts.
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