Abstract
The Dilemmas of the Kaliningrad Oblast Today. The Kaliningrad Oblast is a Russian
exclave on the Baltic Sea neighbouring with the EU countries of Poland and Lithuania. On
one hand, the Oblast belongs to the Russian political, economic and defence area, and on the
other, it is separated from other parts of the Russian Federation. This specific location affects
the nature of the local economy, the dependence on import and a drive towards cooperating
with countries abroad. The economic situation of the Kaliningrad Oblast is strictly related to
the economic situation of the remaining parts of Russia. Kaliningrad is subject to principles
established by the federal centre, and Moscow decides about the most important issues of
the region. At the same time, the Oblast makes efforts to provide conditions for social and
economic development comparable to the development standards of neighbouring countries.
The residents of the Oblast can be characterised by a sense of own identity, their openness
to Europe, as well as activeness and entrepreneurship as compared to other Russian citizens.
The greatest number of military units in Russia cluster in Kaliningrad Oblast. This potential
is continually strengthened with the progressing modernisation of Russian military forces.
Small border traffic, initiated in July 21 between the Republic of Poland and the Kaliningrad
Oblast of the RF, had a major impact on the animation, volume and the dynamics of cross-border
relations and the promotion of Poland. In July 2016, the Polish side suspended the project.
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