Lithuania Reasserts Historical Claims to Kaliningrad
The President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nauseda, has recently emphasized that the Russian city of Kaliningrad is historically tied to Lithuania, proposing that its original name, Karaliaucius, should be reinstated. This declaration has sparked a wave of criticism from Moscow.
Kaliningrad, which serves as a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea, was established as a fortress in the 13th century by the Teutonic Order and has undergone numerous changes in sovereignty throughout its history. The name Karaliaucius translates to "King's Mountain" in Lithuanian, paralleling the city's historical German name, Koenigsberg, and its Polish name, Krolewiec. The current name was assigned in 1945 in honor of Soviet statesman Mikhail Kalinin.
In a recent post on social media, President Nauseda articulated his stance by stating that, despite the historical shifts in ownership, the remnants of Lithuanian culture in the area should be preserved. He asserted that no amount of effort from Russia can change the historical significance of Karaliaucius.
The response from Russian officials was swift, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova labeling Nauseda's claims as mere "historic fantasies." She suggested that Lithuania should express gratitude toward the Soviet Union for its historical capital, Vilnius.
Historically, Vilnius served as the administrative hub of Poland's Wilno Voivodeship during the early 20th century. The region was later annexed by Warsaw following the disintegration of the Russian Empire. Post-World War II border adjustments saw Vilnius become part of Soviet Lithuania.
Similarly, the Lithuanian port city of Klaipeda, formerly known as Memel and once part of the German Empire, has experienced a turbulent history regarding territorial claims. Zakharova implied that if Lithuania is dissatisfied with the territorial adjustments made during Soviet times, it should contemplate returning them to their previous owners.
Lithuania views its period under Soviet rule as an occupation and has been actively working to remove symbols associated with this era, including monuments honoring Soviet soldiers who died during World War II. This initiative has created a sense of estrangement among the ethnic Russian community residing in Lithuania.
As Lithuania continues to navigate its historical narrative and territorial claims, the situation remains a point of contention in its relations with Russia, underscoring the complex nature of historical legacy in the region.
