Lithuanian Russian Relations

The problem of enclaves/enclaves in the theory of IR opens an interesting field of study, not only because of the actual phenomena and processes accompanying the formation of said entities, but also due to inaccuracies and variances in the very terms in use, especially in the field of public policy. The Kaliningrad Oblast is either an enclave (from the point of view of the EU, NATO, as well as Poland and Lithuania), or an exclave (from the point of view of the Russian Federation). The status of the region as perceived by the Western countries and organisations differs from the Russian standpoint. The Kaliningrad Oblast always would be a region of external influences of the West, an element of their foreign, security and economic policies, while for Russia Kaliningrad is a sphere of its domestic governance, although shaped by many international determinants resulting
from its geographical location. This paper is aimed at examining public policy of the EU and neighbouring countries towards the Kaliningrad Oblast in the context of its specific geographical location and legal status. Possibilities of the region’s incorporation in the EU’s neighbourhood is also emphasized in the paper as an important factor affecting the position of the Kaliningrad Oblast.

После вступления Литвы в Европейский Союз и НАТО сохранился партийно-политический консенсус по поводу основных целей и задач внешней политики государства. На этом фоне своеобразным интеллектуальным вызовом стала деятельность созданного в 2009 году известными политиками, журналистами и общественными деятелями Движения национального сопротивления «Жальгирис». Статья посвящена выработке новой внешнеполитической философии, что составляет основное содержание интервью, круглых столов и пресс-конференций, организуемых Движением.
After Lithuanian accession to the European Union and NATO, a cross-party political consensus has existed regarding the state’s foreign policy objectives. Against this
background, the Žalgiris national resistance movement, which was established by eminent politicians, journalists, and public figures in 2009, posed a certain intellectual challenge. This article concentrates on the development of a new foreign policy philosophy — the focal point of the interviews, round tables and press conferences held by the Movement.