Russia threatens Lithuania over Kaliningrad transit

Moscow is accusing Lithuania of a blockade as it enforces EU sanctions that hinder the transport of goods to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The conflict dates back to the time Lithuania joined the European Union.

ai tried weekend Kaliningrad Governor Anton Alikhanov asked to calm the situation: there is nothing to panic, the region is supplied with everything it needs; There is no reason to deposit cement or fuel, he takes responsibility for it personally, he said in a message to residents of the Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea. According to reports from the region, he reacted on Friday evening to the news that Lithuanian Railways no longer brings goods subject to EU sanctions to Kaliningrad via Lithuanian territory by panicking. In an interview on Russian television, Alikhanov said that the situation, of course, was “extremely unpleasant”, but not a catastrophe: “We have prepared for something like this.” There are enough free ships to take everything you need from there. Port of Ust – to bring Luga to Kaliningrad near Petersburg.

In Moscow, however, the beginning of the week struck a tone that is the opposite of calm. In the Russian state media there is talk of a “real blockade” of the Kaliningrad region by Lithuania. President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the Lithuanian decision was a “violation of everything” and the situation was “more than serious”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow accused Lithuania of violating international agreements, in particular the “Joint Declaration”. The European Union and the November 2002 transit of Russia into Kaliningrad Oblast. It is considered “openly hostile”. The foreign ministry spokesman explained that Lithuania must understand “the most important thing”: if Russia has declared a country’s actions “hostile”, “then it is no longer about negotiations, it is no longer about any source”. It’s not about finding someone who can defuse the situation”.