The North Atlantic Alliance is stepping up measures to protect the Suwalki Gap, a strategically important section on the Lithuanian-Polish border that is considered one of the most vulnerable on NATO's eastern flank. As Politico reported on April 18, 2025, Lithuania has begun creating a new transport route for the rapid delivery of weapons and troops from Poland to strengthen the defense of the region in the face of growing threats from Russia. Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Tomas Godliauskas emphasized that the modernization of the corridor is aimed at preventing possible aggression, given Moscow's repeated statements about the strategic importance of this section for connecting the Kaliningrad region with Belarus.

The Suwalki Gap, a narrow strip about 100 kilometers long, flanked by the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to the west and Belarus to the east, remains the only land route linking the Baltics to the rest of Europe. As part of the upgrade plan, one of the two main roads between Lithuania and Poland will be converted for military use, allowing for faster movement of heavy equipment and troops. The second road already functions in dual civilian and military mode. In addition, additional checkpoints, cement barriers, and defense systems will be installed on the borders with Kaliningrad and Belarus to strengthen control over the territory, which Godliauskas said will be a response to potential threats.

Lithuania and Poland are already taking concrete steps to strengthen the region. In June 2024, the countries, along with Latvia and Estonia, asked the EU to fund a €2,5 billion “defense line” along the borders with Russia and Belarus, Reuters reported. Poland launched the Eastern Shield project to strengthen its border with Kaliningrad, while Lithuania blocked and fortified the bridge across the Neman River connecting the country to the Russian exclave in October 2024.