Because they're there, they have significant "oppressed" Russian minorities, they prevent Russia having access to the Baltic in that area and Kaliningrad is isolated. Hitler tried the same tactic with Danzig.
Err..could be a case of the Monty Python University of Wollamoolamoo doctrine "Rule 1..rule 3 rule5 rule 7..." wot makes Vlad so popular. And why oor Nigel admires him..