In an interview with LRT radio, Kaunas noted that the war is not developing according to the scenario that the Kremlin expected. According to him, Russia has failed to achieve its goals in Ukraine, and within the country itself, the number of questions to the authorities about the course of the war is growing. > "The Kremlin, Putin needs a new escalation, some new victory, and the Baltic region, Poland — this is the closest target in this case," the minister stated. His comments came shortly after Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed information that the Russian side may be preparing provocations in Poland or the Baltic States to test NATO's unity. According to Nausėda, this concerns intelligence information suggesting that possible targets could be elements of critical infrastructure. It is assumed that such actions could be carried out using both traditional and hybrid methods. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski had also previously not ruled out that Russia might organize a "false flag" operation, using Ukrainian drones to try to shift the responsibility for possible incidents. Amid such assessments, Lithuania has increased security at transport and energy infrastructure facilities. According to Kaunas, intelligence services analyze incoming intelligence information daily and coordinate their actions with NATO allies. The minister emphasized that Lithuania is not taking actions that could provoke Russia. > "We are a sovereign state, a member of NATO and the European Union. We are strengthening our defense, developing the army, and deepening cooperation with Western partners. This should not be seen as a provocation," he stated. In recent months, representatives of the Baltic States and Poland have increasingly spoken about the risks of hybrid threats amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tensions in relations between Russia and NATO countries.