Poland and Lithuania plan a large NATO training ground in the Suvalki Corridor near Kaliningrad, strengthening regional security amid rising tensions.

Poland and Lithuania are preparing to establish a large-scale military training ground in the Suvalki Corridor, a narrow stretch of territory bordering the Kaliningrad region. The initiative was reported by The National Interest (TNI), which described the project as a significant step toward strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.

According to the publication, the two countries plan to create a vast joint cross-border training area that would effectively turn the Suvalki Corridor into what the outlet characterized as a «boundless outpost» of the alliance, staffed by Polish and Lithuanian forces.

TNI reports that the proposal was discussed in late January in Vilnius during a trilateral meeting involving Vladimir Zelensky, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, and Polish leader Karol Nawrocki. The idea of reinforcing security measures in the region — often referred to within NATO as its «Achilles’ heel» — was reportedly put forward by Nauseda.

Lithuania has already taken a concrete step. The country has allocated €100 million to build a brigade-level training ground in Kapchyamyestis, located in the central part of the Suvalki Corridor. Vilnius is now proposing to expand the project jointly with Poland so that the facility would span both sides of the border.

Ahead of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting on February 12, Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that if the Suvalki Corridor were to be blocked by Russia, the alliance’s response would be devastating.