Russian Influence Continues to Crumble

Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have all announced plans to change the name of Kaliningrad, a Russian-occupied territory, to its pre-Soviet name, Königsberg. This move is seen as a deliberate repudiation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and could foreshadow the future of other Russian-occupied territories. Moldova has also withdrawn from the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States interparliamentary assembly. Losing Kaliningrad would be a significant blow to Russia's strategic importance, as it is home to the Russian Baltic Fleet and allows Russia to threaten the Suwalki Gap, a vital military supply route.