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Kaliningrad: the strategic challenge for NATO’s eastern flank and German–Polish perspectives

Author

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  • Nurlan Aliyev
  • Gustav C. Gressel
  • Zdzisław Śliwa

Abstract

This paper explores the strategic importance of the Kaliningrad region for Russia, as well as its implications for German and Polish military strategies. It analyses how Germany and Poland, individually and jointly, can strengthen their defence cooperation to deter potential threats from the Kaliningrad direction. The research question is: Why is Kaliningrad strategically significant for Russian, German, and Polish military strategies, and to what extent can Germany and Poland develop the necessary capabilities and cooperation to effectively deter possible threats from Russia? It employs qualitative methods, drawing on primary and secondary sources and expert interviews. The paper’s main finding is that the strategic risk from Kaliningrad does not stem solely from its location or the forces deployed there, but from its integration with Russian military assets in Belarus and the Leningrad and Moscow districts. It argues that an effective response requires Germany, Poland, and other European NATO members to advance coordinated security initiatives grounded in a shared strategy capable of addressing both conventional challenges and Russia’s asymmetric methods.

Suggested Citation

  • Nurlan Aliyev & Gustav C. Gressel & Zdzisław Śliwa, 2026. "Kaliningrad: the strategic challenge for NATO’s eastern flank and German–Polish perspectives," Small Wars and Insurgencies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(4), pages 787-812, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:fswixx:v:37:y:2026:i:4:p:787-812
    DOI: 10.1080/09592318.2026.2640224
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